Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia has appointed an employee of his former legal firm to be permanent chairwoman of the Prison Board, despite declaring in July she would only fill the role temporarily.

Confirming Maria Cardona had been appointed to chair the board until the end of 2014, Dr Mallia failed to explain why he had changed his mind.

The Opposition’s Home Affairs spokesman Jason Azzopardi was particularly critical of Dr Cardona’s nomination three months ago, saying it presented a clear conflict of interest as she had worked for Dr Mallia’s legal firm for several years.

Psychiatrist Anton Grech had turned down the role due to his already heavy workload, Dr Mallia said in July.

Full story in the Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

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