[attach id=247959 size="medium"]Norman Hamilton. Photo: Facebook[/attach]

The Government has refused to deny speculation that veteran broadcaster Norman Hamilton is being considered for the post of Malta High Commissioner to the UK.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman said: “The ministry has no comment to make. Any appointment will be made public in due course.”

When contacted, Mr Hamilton said he has not been approached “officially or unofficially” for the post even though he too has heard “the rumours”.

Since the Labour Party was elected to government a month ago several appointments have been made and there has been strong speculation that Mr Hamilton is in line for the role.

The term of Malta’s current High Commissioner, Joseph Zammit Tabona, is due to expire in July.

Mr Hamilton also denied speculation that he went to the High Commissioner’s London residence before the election and implied he would be moving in.

He said he was there in November after being invited to a dinner organised by the Malta Tourism Authority when he attended the World Travel Market last year.

“The only room I saw was the room where the reception was held… if I am ever to take on a diplomatic post, it certainly would not be diplomatic of me to act in such a way, especially since I have great respect for Joe Zammit Tabona,” Mr Hamilton said.

Sources close to Malta’s High Commission in the UK confirmed Mr Hamilton’s statement.

There has also been speculation that former Housing Authority chairwoman Marisa Micallef and Michael Zammit Tabona, director of Fortina Spa Resort, have been considered for the post.

Like Mr Hamilton, Mr Zammit Tabona had heard his name was being mentioned but said he had not been approached by the Government.

“I have absolutely no idea where this is coming from,” he said. Ms Micallef could not be reached for comment by the time of writing.