The new board of Arms Ltd did not directly question CEO Wilfred Borg before suspending him, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi revealed in parliament this evening.

Asked by Nationalist MP George Pullicino whether the board had questioned Mr Borg, Dr Mizzi said the board had received first hand information about the serious mistakes made by Arms Ltd, particularly with regard to the issue of vouchers for those eligible for energy benefits.

The mistakes were clear and uncontested, he said, and the board had therefore suspended Mr Borg pending a detailed investigation which could take a maximum of two months. Further disciplinary action would be taken if required.

Asked whether Mr Borg had been given the opportunity to defend himself, Dr Mizzi said the board had acted within its rights.

"We are not on a witch-hunt, but seeking accountability for the mistakes made by Arms Ltd" the minister said, adding that there were mistakes in some 3,000 of the 4,000 vouchers that had been issued.

Dr Mizzi did not give information on who the board had spoken to before it suspended Mr Borg.

He said he had also set up a commission to study all work processes at Arms Ltd with a view of introducing more accountability and efficiency, pointing out that separately to the above case, a potential case of serious fraud had also been revealed.

He also announced that plans were in hand for the vouchers system to be discontinued. Those eligible for the energy benefit would have deductions in their energy bills, he said..