Benjamin Muscat has stepped down from his role as CEO of Midi plc, the company behind the controversial Tignè Point development, it was announced yesterday.

In an announcement on the Malta Stock Exchange, the company said his resignation was accepted by the board of directors and he would leave his post on June 15. His duties will be assumed by the executive committee made up of chairman Alec Mizzi, David Curmi and Joe Gasan.

Mr Muscat’s resignation comes 10 days after an interview with his boss, Albert Mizzi, appeared on The Sunday Times in which he expressed reservations about the final product of the development and how it is viewed from Valletta.

Mr Mizzi said he was willing to reopen discussions on the Manoel Island development, which is the final stage of the Midi project.

“We have already invested millions in Fort Manoel as part of our obligations but if you,on behalf of the taxpayer, are willing to compensate us and for other unrecoverable costs incurred, we are willing to talk. We will not be accused of raping Manoel Island when it was the government that issued this tender in the first place,” Mr Mizzi said. Mr Muscat, 57, denied his resignation had anything to do with Mr Mizzi’s frank statements and said he was leaving the company on good terms. He had been recruited by the company in December 1999.

“I’ve been here for 12 years and it’s time to move on,” he said when contacted, adding that there was no particular reason for his departure.