The scheme has cynically commodified the EU’s four fundamental freedoms, which are the soul of the EU, in a way that brings into question the whole European project. Yet the granting of citizenship has always been the sovereign decision of individual member states. Any interference by the European Commission will be construed as interference by a ‘super-state’ into a member state’s national sovereignty – an act that goes beyond the European Commission’s powers.

The European Commission did not “back the Labour government”. It pointed out that it has no jurisdiction on such matters because granting citizenship is a matter for the sovereign state.

It explains why when he had to give in to pressure on this point. He made it a point that the information was not along the established pattern, but hidden in newly invented confusion.

Prime Minister Muscat thinks he is very clever. To some extent he is: he managed to persuade the electorate, including thousands of switchers, to vote for him.

But now, it seems that the emperor’s clothes are becoming threadbare. Still, I do not think that he is ashamed that he is shaming Malta in the process.