The Malta Independent 19 February 2025, Wednesday
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PM says Edward Scicluna will receive half pay while suspended from Central Bank Governor role

Thursday, 1 August 2024, 18:18 Last update: about 8 months ago

Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that Edward Scicluna will receive half pay while he is suspended from his role at the Central Bank of Malta.

Edward Scicluna had stepped aside from his duties as Central Bank Governor earlier this week, following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. He had written to President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde requesting to cease exercising his function as Governor of the Central Bank of Malta while his case is still pending before the Maltese courts. A court in July found that there is enough prima facie evidence for Scicluna, Chris Fearne and others to stand trial in connection with the Vitals hospitals concession. 

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Scicluna has been facing calls for his resignation since the news broke that he was facing charges. 

Following the announcement that Scicluna would be stepping aside, Abela on 30 July said that Scicluna's conditions related to his post will remain, thus indicating that Scicluna was to keep his pay.

However during an interview with Lovin Malta on Thursday, Abela said: "The civil service rules state that when a worker is suspended pending criminal charges, they should only receive half their salary," Abela said. "I believed that this was a more reasonable solution and Prof. Scicluna agreed to be treated in the same manner as other civil servants with pending criminal procedures." He said Scicluna agreed to taking half pay until the court case is decided.

Abela also told the newsroom that the European Central Bank had informed the government that it was ready to defend Scicluna in the European court had Cabinet decided to remove Scicluna and he have decided to open a case. The ECB had taken a similar stance in a case revolving Latvia's former Central Bank Governor.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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