Leo Brincat has resigned from Parliament to take up his new job as a member of the European Court of Auditors.

The resignation was presented on his behalf today by PL MP Anthony Agius Decelis to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Farrugia.

Mr Brincat had already been removed from the post of Environment Minister earlier this year to prepare for his new appointment.

Mr Brincat was approved in his new role on Thursday by the European Council of Ministers, which overturned the negative result at the European Parliament.

In a brief address, Dr Farrugia said that Mr Brincat will be starting his new job on Monday.

Dr Farrugia said Mr Brincat wanted to thank all the Members of Parliament who worked with him during the last 32 years. Mr Brincat was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1982.

The resignation triggers a procedure by which Mr Brincat will be substituted in Parliament via a by-election. Clifton Grima is favourite to replace him.