President George Abela’s former press officer Marica Mizzi is complaining she was not paid compensation when her employment was terminated after his term came to an end in April.

In a judicial protest against Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and civil service head Mario Cutajar, she said she had a five-year contract starting in April 2009.

This April, she was informed by the present President’s secretary, Carmel Briffa, that her job would end that same month, she added.

According to the contract, Ms Mizzi said, if her employment was terminated solely on grounds of a change in the presidency, she would receive compensation.

She said the contract provided that, upon termination, staff members who had not joined the secretariat from the civil service would be entitled to six months’ salary and other benefits until they returned to work in the private sector.

Ms Mizzi said she had originally been told by the Office of the Prime Minister that her compensation was being worked out but was then informed she would not receive any money.

She said she hoped there were no ulterior motives behind the decision, noting that other people in her position had been paid.

Ms Mizzi also demanded payment for unused vacation leave she had remaining.

Lawyer Ian Spiteri Bailey signed the protest.