The millionaire who was at the wheel of the supercar that crashed into a crowd spectators during Sunday’s car show was released without charge yesterday and allowed to go home to the UK, the Times of Malta has learnt.

An injured Paul Bailey was informed of his release about two hours after arriving at court, where the police intended to charge him over the incident. A source said that late yesterday morning, Mr Bailey informed the police that he was being discharged from hospital and was told to go to court where he would be interrogated, as he was under investigation.

Mr Bailey had already testified before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, who is leading the inquiry into the accident. He left Mater Dei Hospital in a wheelchair and was escorted to court in a police car, accompanied by three officers and his wife. He spent more than an hour waiting in the corridor of the courts, and the source said he was never told if he was under arrest.

He spent more than an hour waiting in the corridor of the courts, and the source said he was never told if he was under arrest

The duty magistrate, Doreen Clarke, had been informed about his arraignment, which was meant to take place at 2pm. However, the arraignment was scrapped following advice from the Attorney General that the police ought to wait for the outcome of the magisterial inquiry, the source said.

The decision was taken after it was ascertained that Mr Baileycould be brought back to Malta if and when needed. He provided all his contact details to the inquiring magistrate and made himself available at any time, the source said. Twenty-eight people, including the driver, were injured in Sunday’s accident. Mr Bailey sustained a fractured skull and had to undergo surgery.

When approached by the Times of Malta as he was being led out of court, helped by a police officer due to problems with his balance, Mr Bailey said he had been instructed by the magistrate not to speak to anyone about the incident. He is due to return to the UK to continue his convalescence after being told by his doctors that he is fit to fly.

According to footage of the crash, one of the rear wheels of the Porsche 918 he was driving at speed appeared to touch the grass going through a chicane. It spun and ploughed through some plastic and crowdcontrol barriers before sweeping into a large number of spectators.

Questions have since been raised about the safety precautions taken during the high-speed event, particularly about the absence of proper crash barriers. Although the charity event Paqpaqli għall- Istrina is fronted by popular TV personality Tonio Darmanin, according to the official Facebook page it is organised by the Office of the President.