The partner of PN councillor-turned-labour MEP candidate Cyrus Engerer, Randolph Debattista, will be joining him in Brussels after landing a job at Dar Malta, Malta's permanent representation in the EU.

Informed sources had told The Malta Independent that the couple were being touted to land top jobs in Brussels, prompting the newsroom to seek clarifications.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Debattista did not deny the news and asked The Malta Independent to send questions by email, while these questions were not answered in full, he did confirm that both are set to work in Brussels.

As it turns out, 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.

He confirmed that he will be working at Dar Malta, and that standard procedures concerning security clearance were applied.

(Report by Rachel Attard and Neil Camilleri)