Former acting police commissioner Ray Zammit is insisting he did nothing wrong despite being singled out by a Board of Inquiry for negligence over his actions following the shooting by the driver of then minister Manuel Mallia. 

Mr Zammit also told The Times of Malta he would continue to serve in the police force for as long as he was allowed to do so - he has returned to his previous rank of deputy police commissioner.

“I obey any order given to me but I don’t feel it was just because I did nothing wrong,” Mr Zammit said about his removal from acting police commissioner.

The inquiry found that Mr Zammit’s actions on the night of the incident lacked professionalism and this strengthened the allegations of a cover-up. The board said this was not done with bad intent.

However, Mr Zammit was blamed for the inaccuracies in the official statement released by the Home Affairs Ministry which said warning shots had been fired in the air when facts indicated otherwise.

“The fact that one would turn a blind eye to what is manifestly existing before him or to what is being said to him, indicates gross negligence, which cannot be excused,” the board concluded.

However, Mr Zammit struck a defensive note yesterday, insisting he did everything possible to ensure things were done properly.

“What did I do wrong? I ordered an inquiry, I sent officers on the scene of the  crime, I told them to call in the magistrate and not to touch anything.”

Asked about the warning shots controversy that prompted the cover-up allegation, Mr Zammit said the problem was that, up to a certain point, the incident was interpreted as a hit-and-run “with shots”.

“When it was confirmed that the car had been hit, the investigation changed course,” he insisted.

Dr Mallia's driver was charged with attempted murder almost a week after the incident.

Mr Zammit did not want to entertain the question as to whether the Prime Minister was mistaken in removing him from office.

“He took his decisions. I was there to help and that is what I will continue doing,” he replied. 

Asked whether he would leave the police force after the show of mistrust in his conduct, Mr Zammit insisted that, for 39 years, he had always given society a service to the best of his abilities. “I have always loved the police corps. I am at peace with the Lord (‘Jien seren m’Alla daqs il-Bambin’),” he said. 

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