The Home Affairs Minister has expressed optimism that a solution to the army complaints dispute might not be far off, but the Ombudsman’s Office is being cautious, saying only that talks have stalled for nearly a month.

Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Both sides have been at loggerheads since March over which entity has the right to investigate complaints over promotions, pay and pension rights of army members.

At one point, the Ombudsman had even warned he was prepared to take the dispute to court.

However, tensions were defused following a series of talks held last month between Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino.

Though early meetings had been described as “positive”, sources told Times of Malta that very little progress had been registered since.

Replying to Times of Malta questions, the Ombudsman’s Office said it was awaiting replies to letters sent to the ministry on August 28 and the Office of the Prime Minister on September 2.

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