Bullet hole in motorist’s rear light cluster. Photos: Mark Zammit Cordina

The Home Affairs Minister yesterday dodged questions about why the ministry had changed its version of events over a shooting incident involving his ministerial driver and a British man.

“We have nothing to hide and we could not have been more transparent, as we immediately opened a magisterial inquiry to establish the facts,” Manuel Mallia told a news conference, called abruptly amid media pressure following Wednesday’s incident.

In a statement published on Wednesday night shortly after the shooting, the ministry said Dr Mallia’s driver – PC Paul Sheehan – had fired two warning shots following a car chase from Gżira to the Tal-Qroqq tunnel.

The incident began when 30-year-old Scotsman Stephen Smith crashed his Opel Insignia into the minister’s car, which was parked in Gżira.

Mr Smith fled and was subsequently traced by the minister’s driver after a car chase, the statement said.

However, media photos published just hours later raised questions over the ministry’s statement, as they showed three bullet marks at the back of the man’s vehicle.

Dr Mallia told a news conference Mr Sheehan had been suspended pending the outcome of a magisterial inquiry.

These security drivers carry a weapon

A statement shortly later said he had also been suspended from the police force. However, during the news conference Dr Mallia corrected the statement published the night before.

“Initially, we said the shots were fired in the air. It results that two shots had hit the car,” Dr Mallia said.

He could not say whether the shots had been aimed towards the vehicle’s tyre, as this would be determined by ballistics experts.

Mr Sheehan had decided to pay a visit to his mother’s house in Gżira when he heard a loud noise.

“Neighbours told him that a car with foreign number plates had crashed into the ministerial vehicle and fled,” the minister said.

He recounted that Mr Sheehan tracked the car and pursued it through the “narrow Gżira roads” while indicating to Mr Smith, who was driving dangerously, that he was a policeman.

“However, when they arrived at a particular place, two shots were fired.”

Asked why he only felt the need to correct the version of events after the media had exposed the incorrect claim made by the ministry, Dr Mallia reiterated that the initial statement reflected the “indications” that had reached the ministry by then.

Asked if the necessary verifications had been made before issuing the statement, the Prime Minister’s spokesman, who was at the minister’s side, interjected that the ministry had been transparent throughout.

The minister declined to comment on whether the shooting had occurred inside the Tal-Qroqq tunnel and if PC533 had overreacted when using his weapon, saying he would not go into the merits at this stage.

“The police will wait for the outcome of the investigation and take action accordingly,” he said. When asked to confirm whether the Scot had exceeded the legal alcohol limit by three times, Dr Mallia confirmed it.

Asked about the fact that it was not normal procedure for the minister’s chauffeur to carry a weapon, Dr Mallia clarified that both his security drivers were members of the police force.

“These security drivers carry a weapon,” the minister said.

Dr Mallia noted that last September his driver had been honoured by the police force for arresting a hunter who had shot a stork.

He made the comment when it was pointed out to him that Mr Sheehan had been found guilty of an offence during a football match in the past (see box, left).

He added that it would be a pity if this “unpleasant incident” was given a political twist.

Later, in reaction to the Opposition leader’s press conference (see report, right), the ministry reiterated that the government statement issued on Wednesday night was based on initial information from the scene. The minister then clarified facts yesterday.