Former Labour MEP candidate Cyrus Engerer has been put on an ambassadorial salary grade that entitles him to a package of around €85,000 a year. His position – that of special envoy to the Prime Minister on EU matters – was specifically created for him. None of the other permanent representations in Brussels have a similar role within their structure.

The Office of the Prime Minister will not say whether Mr Engerer has been given security clearance by the Maltese Security Service – needed for EU accreditation to enter EU buildings and handle sensitive EU documents. 

However Mr Engerer on Facebook this morning said he has accreditation.

Last May, Mr Engerer was found guilty of a criminal offence related to distribution of pornography and given a two-year suspended jail sentence. He withdrew his candidature for the MEP elections and was described as “a soldier of steel” by Prime Minister Muscat had immediately recruited him as his advisor on EU affairs before making him his envoy.  

Replying to questions in Parliament by Beppe Fenech Adami (PN), the Prime Minister confirmed that Mr Engerer had been put on a government Scale 3 grade – the one pegged to an ambassador. According to the salary structure for government overseas employees, apart from receiving a basic salary of €35,000, Mr Engerer is also entitled to some €50,000 in annual allowances pushing his financial package to some €85,000 a year. 

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