Updated at 6.20pm with PD statement 

Parliament will on Thursday be debating a motion moved by all Nationalist MPs on the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The Nationalist Party's motion calls for a public inquiry into the assassination and for the resignation of the Attorney General and the Police Commissioner. 

Its decision means a motion of no confidence in minister Konrad Mizzi which was filed by the Democratic Party can only be debated after parliament's Christmas recess. 

In a statement, the PN said all MPs elected on its ticket voted in favour of any no confidence motion in connection to cases of corruption against the Prime Minister and Minister Mizzi.

The party would continue with its fight against corruption in Parliament and out of it and encouraged MPs and Maltese and Gozitan citizens of good will to also carry out their own fight against corruption, the PN said. 

Ms Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb on October 16, 2017. 

'A clear and dishonest distraction' - PD

But the party's decision to prioritise a motion concerning Ms Caruana Galizia's murder drew a scathing reaction from PD, which said the PN had "disappointed the country". 

"Their Daphne bill is a clear and dishonest distraction," PD said.

"We should be fighting for justice on the issues Daphne wrote about, not distracting ourselves from the motion of no confidence at this critical hour with the NAO report coming out," PD deputy leader Timothy Alden said. 

"We do not need a bill from Delia condemning the fact Daphne was killed. To responsible and active citizens it was always obvious. If the Nationalist Party will not lead the charge then it will have to be Partit Demokratiku."