A disgruntled former employee of the Animal Welfare Department yesterday allegedly attempted to run over Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes outside his office in Santa Venera.

Parliamentary secretary was in shock but otherwise unhurt

Mr Galdes, accompanied by his aides, was returning to his office at 1.30pm when a man from Mosta allegedly blocked their way as the driver of the ministerial car was attempting to park.

The driver tried to avoid the car but the man drove on in an apparent attempt to ram the official vehicle, according to a spokeswoman for the parliamentary secretary.

At one point, Mr Galdes exited the car and it is alleged that the man tried to run him over. Eventually, the parliamentary secretary managed to calm him down and took him into the office.

Once inside, it is alleged the situation flared up again. Eventually, the man left and a police report was filed, the spokeswoman said.

The man was then called in for questioning. It could not be ascertained last night whether he was kept under arrest.

Mr Galdes was in shock but otherwise unhurt. He continued with his official engagements later in the afternoon.

The spokeswoman said the incident revolves around allegations made to the parliamentary secretary in April, in which it was claimed that animals in quarantine were being culled unnecessarily by department officials.

The allegations had been passed on to the police, however, sources said investigators questioned their veracity and, at one point, even interviewed the man, one of those making the claims.

It is alleged that the man insisted yesterday that someone should be prosecuted over the allegations.

Nationalist Party Whip David Agius and the Speaker expressed solidarity with Mr Galdes in Parliament last night.