Former Civil Protection manager files judicial protest objecting to transfer

Former Civil Protection manager John Gera has filed a judicial protest against the Home Affairs Ministry and the ministry’s permanent secretary and chief of staff for his transfer to the Hal Far detention centre. In his protest, signed by Andrew Borg Cardona, Mr Gera said he had given 13 years of efficient service to the Civil Protection Department with integrity and was always considered an asset. On April 9, he said, he was informed of his transfer without being given any reason for it. When he asked for one, Permanent Secretary Kevin Mahoney told him it was because of the exigencies of the service. Mr Gera said he did not believe there were any needs which required a person with 13 years of experience in a specialised line of work to be transferred to an area where no specific capabilities and experience were required. He claimed that the transfer was also financially detrimental to him as well as demotivating as he would not be utilising his experience. Mr Gera claimed that chief of staff Silvio Xerri had told him that there were unfavourable notes in his personal file but when he asked to see this file he was not given the opportunity. He called on Mr Mahoney to clearly...