A police sergeant who yesterday celebrated the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia has been suspended, with the Office of the Prime Minister describing his remarks on Facebook as 'reprehensible'.

He will be investigated by the Public Service Commission.

The shadow minister for justice, Jason Azzopardi, the Malta Police Association and the Police Officers' Union all condemned the comments.

The post, by Ramon Mifsud, was uploaded yesterday.

Dr Azzopardi said such a person had no place in the police force.

The MPA said it condemned any comment which backed the barbaric murder and dissociated itself with whoever made it or backed it.

"Such comments go directly against the nature of police work, as the police have a duty to fight crime.

"The police are there to safeguard everyone's security and not, on the contrary, to approve of the most serious of criminal acts which could even undermine the fundamental rights of all people in a democracy," the association said.

The comments were also condemned by Daphne Caruana Galizia's own son, Matthew.

The general secretary of the Police Officers' Union condemned the comments. Insp Sandro Camilleri said he condemned all hate speech and, but, he insisted, everyone who committed such crimes should be investigated.

The Office of the Prime Minister said the sergeant's comments were reprehensible and did not befit any citizen, let alone an officer whose role was to protect all Maltese citizens.