Mr Dalli has been preparing tough new EU legislation - a reform of the Tobacco Products Directive - to make smoking less attractive.

BBC: John Dalli row: EU's Barroso denies ousting colleague

Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic has taken over Mr Dalli's duties on an interim basis until a new commissioner of Maltese nationality is appointed.

BBC: John Dalli row: EU's Barroso denies ousting colleague

His Maltese predecessor John Dalli left the Commission after being linked to a cash-for-influence scandal involving new tobacco legislation.

BBC: Malta's Tonio Borg appointed EU Health Commissioner