The erstwhile 18-year-old director of government security company Fort Security Services has officially been replaced, a month and a half after he handed in his resignation.

Karl Cutajar, the nephew of Economy Minister Chris Cardona’s chief of staff, handed in his resignation citing political victimisation soon after the controversial appointment came to light.

He has been replaced by Ivan Borg, who represents the government in a number of other state-owned companies.

Despite giving up his directorship, Mr Cutajar has still retained a share in the government company, according to MFSA records.

Prior to his resignation, Minister Cardona has defended his appointment, Dr Cardona defended, saying Mr Cutajar’s age is irrelevant as long as he is legally qualified to hold the role. 

Even after his resignation, Dr Cardona refused to back down, saying the Opposition was hypocritical in criticising Mr Cutajar due to his age whilst claiming that the young should be listened to, even to the extent of criticising the government for not allowing 16-year-olds to vote in the referendum on spring hunting.

Mr Cutajar will stay on at MIMCOL, which he joined a year ago, and Dr Cardona emphasised that Mr Cutajar was regularly employed at MIMCOL, on his own merits, as had other young people of a different political persuasion.