Former executive director of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Davinia Galea was removed because her contract expired, according to Parliamentary Secretary Jose’ Herrera.

Dr Herrera said Ms Galea three-year contract at the helm of the council had come to an end and she was not offered a renewal as the entity was due for restructuring.

Ms Galea yesterday insisted her contract was indefinite.

Dr Herrera said he was baffled by media reports that Ms Galea was on a contract which was not normally terminated.

“Ms Galea’s contract had expired. I don't want to get into whether her contract was indefinite,” he said.

Dr Herrera said Ms Galea had been offered a different contract as a director in charge of “an event of great national importance”. This role, he said, was coupled with a financial package exceeding scale three.

Asked who was earmarked to take over Ms Galea’s position, Dr Herrera explained that the role of executive director would no longer exist as the council was due to be split into two separate entities.

News of Ms Galea’s termination has sent waves through the artistic community with many describing the move as “a big loss” for arts and culture in Malta.