Two Gozo Channel employees, Raymond Borg, known as ix-Xitan and George Zammit, were this morning granted bail after pleading not guilty to fraud.

The two men were arrested yesterday and arraigned this morning. They were filmed on CCTV allegedly selling used Gozo Channel tickets.

The Gozo Ministry said this afternoon it reported the matter to the authorities as soon as it learnt of the alleged abuse.

The two employees, who have been suspended, were arraigned this morning as a result.

The ministry said it would not tolerate abuse and the immediate steps taken were evidence of the serious manner in which the government acted when faced with reports of abuse.

Back in 2013, Mr Borg, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo’s canvasser, had called the duty manager in Mġarr and advised him to turn back the ferry as the minister was waiting in Ċirkewwa. Mr Borg, who had been off-duty, had been contacted by the minister.