The new Brussels job given to former PL MEP candidate Cyrus Engerer in Brussels is of the same nature as the job he had at the Office of the Prime Minister, PM Joseph Muscat said.

Dr Muscat was replying to a Parliamentary Question by PN MP Antoine Borg. The Malta Independent had revealed some weeks ago that Mr Engerer and his partner Randolph Debattista were both given top Brussels jobs. Mr Engerer has until recently been serving as Advisor to the Prime Minister on EU Affairs.

In reply to the PN MP, who asked whether Mr Engerer was given the new job through a public call or a direct appointment, Dr Muscat said the former PL candidate was engaged in his new role in the same way the previous administration had chosen people for similar jobs. "Mr Egerer possesses all the necessary abilities and skills needed for his role," Dr Muscat said.

In the meantime, Mr Borg had also sent questions to Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech on the new Brussels appointment given to Mr Engerer's partner, Randolph Debattista. Mr Debattista previously held the job of Deputy Chief of Staff at the EU Affairs Ministry, headed by Mr Grech. He had also served for some time as a Labour Party PR official.

In reply to the questions put forward by the PN MP, the Deputy Prime Minster said Mr Debattista has been given a new role within the same Ministry. He was chosen for the post in the same way used by the previous administration. "Mr Debattista has already held a position of trust and has now been given another position of trust."

Replying to a PQ on Mr Debattista's employment terms, including salary, allowances and perks, the Deputy PM said assured Mr Borg that the individual "possesses the necessary skills and abilities to carry out his job."

Mr Borg filed his PQs after The Malta Independent revealed that Mr Engerer and Mr Debattista had been given top jobs in Brussels back in October. This paper had revealed that Mr Engerer's present appointment dates back to June, when he was tasked with coordinating the Office of the Prime Minister's work with EU institutions.

The appointment occurred a month after Mr Engerer was convicted of circulating pornography and computer misuse, a case related to a former partner of Mr Engerer and which landed him a two-year suspended jail term.

Mr Engerer had been a member of the Nationalist Party for a number of years, representing it in the Sliema local council, but he broke ranks with the party following the 2011 divorce referendum, claiming to be disillusioned with its position on issues such as divorce and gay rights.

News of his arraignment surfaced shortly afterwards, and Mr Engerer had claimed to be the victim of political persecution when the case broke out.

He was actively involved in the 2013 general election campaign and was also the author of 'Joseph, Malta li rrid nghix fiha' a biography cum-political testament of Labour leader Joseph Muscat.

Mr Engerer is also the chairman of the Consultative Council on LGBTI rights set up by the present government.

Mr Debattista had worked in Labour's press office until last year's general election, and was until recently employed as the deputy chief of staff at the EU Affairs Ministry headed by Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech.

Last month he confirmed to this paper that he will be working at Dar Malta, and that standard procedures concerning security clearance were applied.