As readership of the English supplement to Il-Progress soared, Lord Strickland was quick to see that there was room for an English daily. This would happen, so long as the new publication achieved and maintained a high standard of public service in information. The first issue of The Times of Malta was published in full co-operation with the British MI5 on 7 August 1935 under menacing war clouds as Italy planned the invasion of Abyssinia, which began in October of that year.
The success of the English supplement to Il-Progress led Lord Strickland to believe that an English daily newspaper could be established, provided it met high standards of public service journalism. The Times of Malta was launched on August 7, 1935, with support from MI5 during a time of heightened tension due to Italy's planned invasion of Abyssinia, which began in October of that year.