Ombudsman’s car parked in disabled space

The Ombudsman would do well to probe a little closer to home after his chauffeur-driven car was spotted parked illegally almost on a daily basis just outside his office.

The car has often been seen parked in a spot reserved for disabled drivers in St Paul Street, Valletta.

Last week, the car, a dark blue Peugeot 406, was even seen parked on a pavement frequently used by pedestrians and over a double yellow line – metres away from Auberge de Castille.

At one point on Tuesday, a local warden on the beat noticed the illegality and slapped it with a parking ticket.

Inside the vehicle is a piece of paper on the dashboard, declaring it is used to transport Chief Justice Emeritus and Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino.

Questions about the illegal parking were sent to the Ombudsman, but no replies were forthcoming by the time of going to press.

Government officials were also unable to answer questions yesterday concerning who foots the bill for parking tickets issued to government vehicles.