Home Affairs Ministry chief of staff Silvio Scerri has filed a libel suit against television presenter John Bundy over statements on the termination of Norman Vella’s redeployment with PBS which appeared in Times of Malta yesterday.

Mr Scerri, through his lawyer Edward Gatt, called on the court to find Mr Bundy guilty of making false claims aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

Mr Bundy had told Times of Malta he had met Mr Vella and told him he was present at the ministry when he heard Mr Scerri issue the order over the phone.

Mr Bundy added that he also knew who was on the other end of the line but did not wish to name the person.

His comments were sought after Mr Vella testified before the Employment Commission on Wednesday saying Mr Bundy told him he had heard Mr Scerri issue the order for him to be returned to his job at the Immigration Department.

Mr Scerri strenuously denied the allegations and this morning sued Mr Bundy for libel.

When told about Mr Scerri’s plans to sue him for libel, Mr Bundy said he would welcome this “with open arms” because what he had said was “the truth and nothing but the truth”.

Public Broadcasting Services Limited CEO Anton Attard also entered the fray, saying the only instructions he had received were in writing from the permanent secretary at the ministry, requesting back the services of Mr Vella. He did not receive any instructions from Mr Scerri, he said.