Middleman Melvin Theuma was employed “after a public call”, the principal permanent secretary said today, and was on the books between May and August 2017 – starting just before the election and terminating a few months later.

No details were given as to whether Theuma was interviewed, by whom, and when before being given the "job".

In yet another twist in the ongoing saga, Mario Cutajar said that all the details that were discovered about Theuma – who was given immunity to testify on details regarding the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia – had been passed on to the police.

In his testimony on Wednesday, Theuma said that he had been informed by OPM official Sandro Craus that he was to be given a job at the "ministry opposite the old theatre" and had received several cheques although he did not work a single day. He did not apply for the job. The man accused with complicity in the murder, Yorgen Fenech, had informed Theuma that he would be receiving a call from Sandro Craus from Castille. Craus called him telling him he would meet Keith Schembri. He went there and did not know from where to go in. He had called Craus, asking him what to do. He was met by Schembri, and the two shook hands and took a photo together.

Initially, the Principal Permanent Secretary said that from verification of records it resulted that Melvin Theuma's name was not amongst those of persons who had been employed in the Public Service. But after Xarabank had published Theuma’s contract, Cutajar had confirmed that Melvin Theuma had indeed been employed by the government.

In his statement Thursday, Cutajar said that after it had been verified that Theuma had not been listed as employee of the civil service, his office had asked for other verifications from all government entities, which are distinct from public service.

Yesterday afternoon, his office had been informed that the Family Ministry that the government company Housing Embellishment and Maintenace Co Ltd had an employee by that name and he had been employed after a public call by Jobsplus and a selection process in April 2017.

Theuma started his employment in May 2017 – the month when the 2017 election was announced – and the last salary was paid for August. The statement said his job had been terminated because he did not attend work.

This information was passed on to the police and documents were being preserved for future reference.