An investigation has been launched on Rita Schembri, who heads the Prime Minister’s internal audit unit and OLAF liaison office, Afcos.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi requested the investigation, after a recommendation from the Auditing Board, and a request from Ms Schembri herself.

Ms Schembri requested to be put on leave until the investigations are concluded.

A temporary director will be appointed in the coming days.

Ms Schembri was a member of the OLAF supervisory committee up until last month, when she resigned to avoid a conflict of interest.

Ex-EU Commissioner John Dalli claimed that Ms Schembri had kept the Maltese government informed “step-by-step” of the OLAF investigation which finally led to his resignation from the post of European Commissioner.