A controversial former aide to former EU Commissioner John Dalli, Silivio Zammit has passed away at the age of 57.

The Sliema Local Council announced his death on Friday morning, where Mr Zammit previously served as deputy mayor. He was also known for having used to run Peppi’s Restaurant in Sliema.

Mr Zammit became a controversial figure when he was accused in 2012 of attempting to solicit a €60 million bribe to influence former Commissioner Dalli to overturn an EU-wide ban on snus, a chewing tobacco product.

A report by the EU anti-fraud and corruption agency, OLAF, said Mr Zammit had been approached by Swedish Match and a European smokeless tobacco lobby, Estoc, through contacts with the former Commissioner, and proceeded to attempt to solicit payment in exchange for influencing Mr Dalli’s vote. It was found that no transaction was concluded, and no payment was made.

The investigation, however, led to Commissioner Dalli’s resignation, as it was said that enough circumstantial evidence of Mr Dalli being aware of the offer had been present.

Mr Zammit was charged in court in December 2012, but the case has been subject to lengthy delays.