The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) this afternoon defended the right of its chairman, Vincent Cassar, to private work.

It said Mr Cassar, unlike his predecessor, is not executive chairman, meaning that the administration and day-to-day responsibilities of running the Authority fall under the remit of the Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Cassar had spent most of his professional career in the public sector and had only one pending planning application at Mepa when he became chairman.  Upon his appointment, he informed the applicant that he could no longer be responsible for the application.

"Not being an Executive Chairman, Perit Cassar is allowed to carry on and undertake private work which does not potentially create a conflict of interest with his role as Chairman of Mepa. Perit Cassar has throughout his professional career, predominantly in the public sector, always acted ethically and with utmost integrity," Mepa said.