Updated: Privatisation Unit chairman resigned after clashes with minister - sources

Updated 7.55 a.m. on Tuesday - The chairman of the Privatisation Unit, Emanuel Ellul, has resigned. Economy Minister Chris Cardona said in reply to a parliamentary question that he was notified by the chairman on May 13 that he wanted to retire from his work as of June 12. He said his reasons were personal. However the Times of Malta reports that Mr Ellul has departed following clashes with Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona over the way the privatisation unit conducts its business. The minister confirmed the resignation when replying to a question by Francis Zammit Dimech (PN). This was Dr Zammit Dimech's second question on the resignation. He first asked on May 29 whether Mr Ellul had resigned. In his first reply on June 3 the minister had said that a reply would be given in another sitting. See Times of Malta story at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130617/local/privatisation-board-chairman-resigns.474280