The official number of bullets fired by the Home Affairs Minister’s driver has changed three times over the past week, raising questions over what really happened amid Opposition claims of a cover-up.

Last Wednesday minister Manuel Mallia’s chauffeur Paul Sheehan fired his gun after a motorist crashed into the minister’s parked, empty Mercedes Benz.

A statement issued by the ministry that same evening claimed two warning shots were fired. The next day, however, a government spokesman said Mr Sheehan had shot three bullets at the car, only for Dr Mallia to claim two shots had been fired at a press conference.

Police sources later told Times of Malta that Mr Sheehan’s 17-bullet magazine had two missing shells when it was handed in following the incident.

The inconsistencies do not end with the number of bullets fired.

A major question mark still hangs over why motorist Steve Smith’s silver Vauxhall was moved from the scene of the shooting before a magistrate arrived.This newspaper had reported senior investigators’ concerns that officers “completely broke with procedure” when they disturbed the crime scene.

In a statement on Saturday, Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit had insisted he had not given the order to move the vehicle, despite it being loaded onto a car carrier. It remains unclear who gave the order, despite questions sent by this newspaper.

Dr Mallia has also changed his tone in how he views Mr Sheehan’s actions.

During the press conference the day after the shooting, the minister had described the incident as simply “unpleasant”.

He would not comment on whether his chauffeur had overreacted, but commended him on previous acts, such as the arrest of illegal hunters who had shot at swans, and when he helped put out a fire.

That day, Dr Mallia would not comment on a separate incident that saw Mr Sheehan fined for using vulgar language and hindering a senior officer from carrying out his duty during a football match, and insisted such things should not tarnish Mr Sheehan’s career. That evening, however, his opinion changed to sharing the Prime Minister’s sentiments of “anger and disgust”.

Two days later, the minister again initially described the events as “regrettable”, only for his temper to flare when he told Parliament the incident hurt him personally. He felt let down, especially as he had trusted his children to Mr Sheehan’s care.