Damage to the minister’s car. Photos: Mark Zammit Cordina

Two warning shots were fired by the Home Affairs Minister’s chauffeur last night as he gave chase to a British man who sped off after crashing into the Cabinet member’s official car in Gżira last night.

Stephen Smith, 30, was still being held at the St Julian’s police station at 11pm after he refused to take a breathalyser test, a government spokesman told Times of Malta.

It all started at about 9pm when the minister’s driver dropped Manuel Mallia off at an official function at police headquarters, then headed to his mother’s home in Triq Nikola Kottoner, Gżira, to while away the time.

It is not known why the chauffeur was armed

The driver, Constable Paul Sheenan, heard a loud bang and when he went outside he realised the minister’s car had been rammed by another car and its driver was about to speed off, according to the spokesman.

Constable Sheenan jumped into the official car and chased the silver Vauxhall, which had foreign number plates. He managed to catch up with it near the national swimming pool and tried to block his path, but Mr Smith retaliated by ramming the car again, the spokesman said.

The chase ended in the Tal-Qroqq tunnels. Mr Smith got out of his car holding a beer bottle. At this point, the spokesman said, the constable felt threatened and fired two warning shots, prompting Mr Smith to take off again, this time on foot.

It is not known why the minister’s driver was armed.

The Rapid Intervention Unit tracked Mr Smith down nearby and arrested him.

The Briton, who lives on a yacht, was first taken to the Msida police station then to the one in St Julian’s, where he refused to have a breathalyser test.

Asked if the minister’s car had been specifically targeted, the spokesman said he believed this was a case of hit-and-run.

A magisterial inquiry is under way.