Minister Manwel Mallia and outgoing AFM Commander Martin Xuereb again insisted that the resignation of the brigadier was a decision taken by Brig Xuereb and not a result of some kind of political interference.

Addressing the media during an activity this morning, Minister Mallia said the Opposition’s claim that there was a political motive behind the resignation was unfounded. The double promotion given to senior AFM officers in recent weeks is also not one based on political reasons, the minister said.

Brig Xuereb was more evasive in his answers, sticking to the formalities and insisting that, like every other AFM member, he had the right to retire after 25 years of service. It is a decision that he took on his own, he said.

He would not be drawn into giving more details about the job he will take up in Bruseels when he resigns from the AFM next month.