‘Surprised’ Malta police force passes the buck after Europol cites ‘room for improvement’ with Malta on Daphne Caruana Galizia murder

The Maltese police force either had something of a curious interpretation of the English language or it passed the buck to other countries’ authorities yesterday when it expressed “surprise” at critical comments made by Europol executive director Rob Wainwright to MEP Ana Gomes.

In correspondence published by The Times of Malta on Friday evening, which was also seen by this newspaper, Wainwright told the MEP in no uncertain terms: “While we continue to work closely with the Maltese authorities, there is some room for improvement in this cooperation and we are actively seeking to address this.”

The Maltese police, in a reaction, claimed the Europol chief had made the reference in relation to cooperation with other countries, and not with the Malta Police Force.

In the correspondence, the Europol director had cited “new concerns” in the investigation into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and that those concerns are now the subject of further, high-level investigations by the agency.

Earlier in the day the Malta Police Force said, “Until yesterday the Malta Police Force was discussing the way forward on the investigation. The Malta Police are now seeking urgent clarification from Europol to understand what Mr Wainwright meant. We believe that the media are misinterpreting an ambiguous sentence.”

The Malta police statement added: “As regards the statement that new concerns have arisen, which are now the subject for further high priority investigation, since this is part of a wider investigation the Malta Police Force cannot comment on this statement.

“The Malta Police reiterates that it sought the assistance of Europol and has ever since kept an open relationship on the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.”

In a statement later in the day, the Malta Police Force claimed that through the Maltese liaison bureau at Europol Headquarters, it had sought urgent clarification about the letter written by Mr Wainwright to members of the EU Parliament.

The police statement read: “Europol has confirmed that the reference to the statement ‘room for improvement’ does not refer to cooperation with the Malta Police. It was also confirmed that the reference was made in relation to cooperation with other countries. The Malta Police con- firms that there is a full and transparent cooperation.”

Part of the letter sent to S&D MEP Ana Gomes by Europol read: “Europol will continue supporting the law enforcement authorities of Malta and other EU member states in relation to this investigation on the basis of their needs and within Europol’s available expertise and mandate. The investigation is highly complex and now involves a number of EU member states. New concerns have arisen which are now the subject of further, high-priority investigation by Europol. While we continue to work closely with the Maltese authorities, there is some room for improvement in this cooperation and we are actively seeking to address this.” The full letter can be read at www.independent.com.mt