The current Police Commissioner Michael Cassar has 30 days to appeal a decision by the Data Commissioner to fine him €500 for a transgression by his predecessor Peter Paul Zammit.

Mr Zammit illegally leaked the personal file of Inspector Elton Taliana to MaltaToday’s managing editor Saviour Balzan, a report by the Data Commissioner concluded. Mr Balzan denies receiving any files from Mr Zammit.

If an appeal is filed, it will be heard by Lynn Zahra, the partner of former Labour minister and current Tourism Envoy to the WTO Joe Grima.

Police Commissioner Michael Cassar

Speaking to this newsroom, Mr Taliana’s lawyer Joseph Zammit Maempel said he is going to discuss with his client Elton Taliana whether to take any legal action in light of the leak.

A Sergeant Major interviewed by the Data Commissioner said that in the period between July and August 2013 Inspector Taliana’s personal file was requested by Mr Zammit.

The file was eventually “traced” to the room adjacent to that of the Police Commissioner’s following his resignation.

The Data Commissioner concluded that documents presented in court by Saviour Balzan were a true copy of the original sheets contained in the personal dossier of Inspector Taliana.

The PN yesterday insisted that the Prime Minister has to sack Mr Zammit from his current role as CHOGM security coordinator.

Multiple attempts to reach Mr Zammit for comment proved futile.