BREAKING/The six-year ambassadors: Norman Hamilton in London, Ray Azzopardi in Brussels, Mark Micallef in Madrid

Published: July 4, 2016 at 4:17pm

Malta’s high commissioner in London and ambassadors in Brussels, Madrid, Moscow and Berlin have had their tours of duty extended by another term (three years), until 2019. All were appointed by the incoming Muscat government in 2013, and none are career diplomats.

The situation is exceptional and unprecedented. Extensions are very unusual and are never granted for more than a year, in extremely particular circumstances and when unavoidable. In this case, a repeat tour of duty has been granted across the board to political appointees in European embassies and the High Commission in London.

It will probably be justified by the need for continuity during Malta’s presidency of the EU Council, but only the political appointees have had their tour of duty extended by another three years. They include Norman Hamilton in London and Ray Azzopardi in Brussels (both hosted shows on the Labour Party’s television and radio stations between 1992 and 2013) and Mark Micallef in Madrid.

It’s quite obvious what’s happening here: these individuals are enjoying themselves living free of charge in comfort in London, Madrid and Brussels and don’t want to come home. So, being Labour Party favourites with lots of strings to pull, they’ve been given another three years each. The other two – Berlin and Moscow – have been thrown into the mix so that people won’t accuse the government of making special exceptions for Joseph Muscat’s bridesmaids and party favourites.

It’s the same method they use when appointing judges and magistrates: three appointees who used to work for the Labour Party or its media, and one appointee with no political connections.

The only consolation in this latest report from the deluge of shocking stories about government abuse, cronyism and corruption is that Phyllis Muscat’s determination to replace Norman Hamilton this summer, having had her daughter installed at the High Commission in London already through the good offices of Transport Malta, where her husband is on the board of directors, has been thwarted. We’ll soon find out, no doubt, what her close friends the Prime Minister and Keith Schembri have given her instead to calm her down as (some of) her plans lie in ruins.

Malta's High Commissioner in London - another three years

Malta’s High Commissioner in London – another three years

Malta's ambassador to Belgium - another three years

Malta’s ambassador to Belgium – another three years

Malta's ambassador in Madrid - another three years

Malta’s ambassador in Madrid – another three years