The presence of Neville Gafà for the official swearing-in of Prime Minister Robert Abela has raised questions.

Gafa, a close friend of former chief of staff Keith Schembri, was seen walking in along with other guests at the Palace in Valletta, where the ceremony was held.

Gafà has been repeatedly cast in the national spotlight over allegations of his involvement in an alleged visa fraud racket.

After the arrest and resignation of Keith Schembri in connection with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Gafa was seen regularly at Schembri’s home in Mellieha.

Gafà had been fired from his previous job at the Health Ministry by Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne. Before the official results of the Labour leadership election were made known, Gafa uploaded a post on Facebook with the word “Kontinwita’”, which gave a strong hint that Abela was to win the election.

Many have expressed surprised to have seen Gafà among those who were invited to the President’s Palace in Valletta.