Tonio Borg, Malta’s new Commissioner for EU Health if voted in by the European Parliament this week, has vowed to sell a small investment which is linked to a tobacco company.

Corporate Europe Observatory yesterday revealed that Dr Borg’s holds 2,300 shares in the La Valette Sterling Income Fund. The Fund owns bonds issued by US tobacco company Imperial Tobacco.

When questioned by EUobserver about his investment, Dr Borg said that he was not aware where his money was being invested. He added that last year he only earned €112 from the investment but has given instructions to dispose of his shares.

MEPs are expected to vote for Dr Borg’s nomination during this week’s plenary but opposition remains high with many groups citing his Catholic values as the main objection.

Dr Borg was nominated to replace John Dalli in the college of Commissioners after he was forced to resign after being accused of a tobacco lobbying scandal in mid-October following a report by OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Agency.