Ivan Grech Mintoff has been replaced as chairman of the Adoptions Board weeks after expressing his “disgust” about the manner in which the government “surreptitiously” introduced gay adoptions.

The change was announced in the Government Gazette of June 20, which said Cynthia Pace Asciak was the new chairman.

Parliament should have never accepted this report

Last month, Times of Malta revealed the board was not consulted before adoptions by same-sex couples became part of the Civil Unions Bill. At the same time, board members were instructed not to speak to the media.

When contacted, Mr Grech Mintoff said that following the Cabinet reshuffle in March, all board members falling under the Social Policy Ministry were told to submit their resignation “in line with standard practice”.

In spite of this, he was later informed he would retain his post.

“In a meeting I had with Michael Farrugia soon after he was appointed minister, he gave me the impression that I enjoyed his full confidence as he assured me I would be able to carry on with my duties,” Mr Grech Mintoff said.

However, just weeks after publicly venting his frustration with this newspaper about the lack of consultation, he learned his resignation had been accepted after all.

This happened towards the end of last month, when he resumed his duties soon after the MEP campaign. Mr Grech Mintoff – who was contesting on the ticket of EU-sceptic party Alleanza Bidla – had been instructed to suspend his participation on the board for the duration of the campaign.

Mr Grech Mintoff expressed his disagreement with the manner in which gay adoptions had been introduced.

He argued that contrary to what the Prime Minister had pledged, same-sex adoptions had been introduced on the advice of just one expert, not a number of them.

“Nevertheless, the expert based her recommendation on a review based exclusively on lesbian couples, which in itself was not a scientific report.

“In addition the expert had cautioned that not enough research had been carried out.

“As chairman of the Adoptions Board I felt this was not enough to back such a radical Bill.

“Parliament should have never accepted this report as its conclusion was not entirely reliable,” Mr Grech Mintoff said.

Questions sent to the Social Policy Minister had not been answered by the time of going to print.