Two men who were caught hiding in a tunnel linking Parliament to the former Yellow Garage were today accused in court with the attempted theft of tools being stored there.

Eman Zammit, 36, and Clayton Fava, 28, both unemployed from Zabbar, pleaded not guilty to the attempted theft of tools and other equipment used in the construction industry, to gaining access to a public building with the necessary permits and relapsing.

Defence lawyer Joe Ellis said the issue was "blown out of proportion" because the impression had been given that they were caught inside the Parliament building. He said the media had given the impression that it was an attempted conspiracy similar to Guy Fawkes who had been convicted of attempting to kill King James in Britain in the 17th Century.

He said that happened to be in the area when it started raining and they went inside to shelter from the rain.

Police Inspector Jeffrey Scicluna objected to the request for bail, saying this was not the first time that the accused had been convicted for theft.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli turned down the request for bail due to lack of trustworthiness and the two men were remanded in custody.