Mark Galea during his younger days as a member of the AFM.Mark Galea during his younger days as a member of the AFM.

The Security Service’s second-in-command has stepped down just a year into the job.

Contacted yesterday by Times of Malta, Mark Galea cited personal reasons for his decision but would not say more.

However, sources told this newspaper that, at times, Mr Galea and his superior, former assistant police commissioner Michael Cassar, were on different wavelengths and this was reflected in their working relationship.

Mr Galea’s departure took many by surprise, given his experience in the intelligence service.

The explosives expert had been with the MSS for more than a decade before leaving in 2012 to take a job with German multi­national Siemens.

He returned last year to take up the post of deputy chief following the change in government, which triggered a shake-up.

His return was hailed as a success for the new administration, which was keen to use experienced agents with a good service record in a bid to strengthen the ailing service.

The sources said that Mr Galea, 42, had played a prominent role within a team that had worked behind the scenes during the 2011 Libyan uprising that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.

He is now expected to return to the Armed Forces of Malta from where he was seconded when he first joined the MSS.

Questions about his replacement sent to the Home Affairs Ministry were not answered at the time of writing.

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