The Minister for Local Government and the Valletta mayor yesterday cracked down on vehicles parked in the capital’s De Valette Square without permission.

Times of Malta has reported that vehicles – including government cars – regularly park there with impunity despite the local council insisting it has not issued any parking permits for the pedestrianised square. Wardens even told this newspaper they had received instructions from their superiors not to book vehicles displaying permits allowing them to park in the square.

However, mayor Alexiei Dingli is insisting the local council has not issued any parking permits for the square.

He met wardens’ representatives yesterday to clarify that only a permit explicitly indicating that the vehicles could park in the square was acceptable – and any other parking document displayed on a car’s dashboard was invalid.

Local Government Minister Owen Bonnici also said he took immediate action over the matter. “No one can break the law, and ministry and government authorities’ officials have to lead by example. Wardens must book those who park illegally,” he told this newspaper.