Commissioner for Standards in Public Life George Hyzler faced questions from MPs on Wednesday in the wake of his report that taxpayer-funded adverts by minister Carmelo Abela breached ethical standards.
The report, published last week, found that the adverts which appeared in print media last year did not provide “information of value” to the public and were intended to boost the minister’s image.
The complaint was filed by civil society NGO Repubblika, who are insisting the minister refund the expense.
Abela has defended the adverts, saying he has a duty to inform the public of his work.
Placed by a company called Striped Sox, the ad campaign cost the taxpayer €7,012.98, including VAT, to feature in Illum, Malta Today, The Sunday Times of Malta, The Malta Independent on Sunday, It-Torċa and KullĦadd.