The fact that Jonathan Borg, the President’s former senior aide-de-camp, resigned his post last week, along with a number of other officials who worked for the President, means there’s a vacancy for a senior aide-de-camp, among other vacant positions.

However, while the President’s office told this newsroom that interviews are currently being conducted and the chosen person will work hand in hand with the current junior aide-de-camp, Lt Stephanie Debono, the office did not elaborate further on the post which has arisen, that of senior aide-de-camp, meaning that this particular post may be snubbed by the current presidency and a person found to help Lt Debono.

It is understood that a senior aide-de-camp, as the title of the post implies, should be one occupied by a senior AFM official, be it an army Captain, Major or Sr Lieutenant. It results that Lt Debono is not a senior lieutenant.

The reply sent to this newsroom by the President’s office read: “The President of the Republic of Malta has an ADC in place, who is LT Stephanie Debono. Currently, the Office of the President is conducting interviews for another vacancy post. The chosen official will work with LT Debono.”

When this newsroom contacted the Office of the President once again to ask what will happen of the vacancy of senior aide-de-camp, the office referred us to the first reply they sent, that interviews are being conducted for another vacancy.

Worthy of note is that Lt Debono’s appointment was made personally by the President and no selection process was conducted. Although the President has the right to do so, this in no way means that the person selected would have the adequate qualifications for the job.

Sources who are well informed about protocol and who spoke to this newsroom explained that this was an unprecedented move and is in breach of protocol.

“During each and every presidency, protocol was followed,” sources said.

Sources explained that it is very rare for a junior officer to serve in such a position that is of such high national importance.

So much so that the person who had been appointed previously as senior aide-de-camp, during President Emeritus George Abela’s term, was Major Mark Mallia, who today occupies the position of Armed Forces of Malta Deputy Commander, the second highest role in the army.

Lt Debono was appointed junior aide-de-camp as soon as the new President, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, was appointed. This was the first time a woman was appointed to the post. She was appointed on 4 April.

This newsroom reported last week that the President did not only lose her two communications officers but also her Senior Aide-de-Camp and Senior Palace Attendant, who served a number of Presidents for the last 35 years, since 1979.

The four palace officials resigned in the space of a week.

This newsroom is also informed that the new President has an excessive number of security personnel working for her, as opposed to past practice where it was three security officials who accompanied Dr Abela.