Ivan Grech Mintoff has been replaced as chairman of the Adoptions Board weeks after expressing his “disgust” about the manner in which the government “surreptitiously” introduced gay adoptions.

The change was announced in the Government Gazette of June 20, which said Cynthia Pace Asciak was the new chairman.

Last month, Times of Malta revealed the board was not consulted before adoptions by same-sex couples became part of the Civil Unions Bill. At the same time, board members were instructed not to speak to the media.

When contacted, Mr Grech Mintoff said that following the Cabinet reshuffle in March, all board members falling under the Social Policy Ministry were told to submit their resignation “in line with standard practice”.

In spite of this, he was later informed he would retain his post.

However, just weeks after publicly venting his frustration with this newspaper about the lack of consultation, he learned his resignation had been accepted after all.

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