Current affairs programme TVHemm was cancelled at the 11th hour yesterday by Public Broadcasting Services CEO Anton Attard, who stressed this was an administrative decision with no political motivation.

TV presenter Norman Vella was informed of the decision less than an hour before he was due to go on air, when his guests were already doing their make-up.

He told The Times he was informed by the head of programmes and was not given a reason.

The programme is a joint venture between Where’s Everybody and PBS. Mr Vella is a civil servant paid by PBS and deployed from the Custom’s Department.

“This was an internal administrative issue that has absolutely nothing to do with politics,” said Mr Attard, adding that discussions would be held today to discuss the way forward.

A decision does not seem to have been taken regarding future editions of the daily show.

A spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry, responsible for PBS, confirmed that it had nothing to do with the decision and was informed at 7pm when the programme had already been replaced by a documentary.

The spokesman said the ministry was told that TVHemm “did not comply by the administrative policy of PBS”.

“We made it clear that we will not get involved with these decisions,” Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia’s spokesman said.