Update 2 | Former TVHemm presenter questioned by police
Government sources say Norman Vella was caught on CCTV taking pictures of government officials in restricted airport security area.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat denied that a former PBS presenter had been arrested last night in connection with an alleged breach of security at the Malta International Airports.
"The information I have is that there were no arrests but an investigation," Muscat told journalists today.
Former TVHemm presenter Norman Vella was yesterday questioned by the Police after he allegedly took pictures of government officials as they passed through passport control.
The Prime Minister was this morning asked whether Vella's 'arrest' had been a "vindictive reaction" following the judicial protest which the former TV presenter filed against the government.
Muscat however insisted he would not be commenting on personal cases and said the Police should be allowed to carry its work free of any interference.
Vella, an immigration border control officer, was caught on CCTV taking pictures of head of government communications Kurt Farrugia and Ramona Attard, the Home Affairs Minister's communications coordinator, sources claimed.
While initial reports alleged that it had been Farrugia himself who reported the alleged incident to the Police, in comments to MaltaToday Farrugia denied the allegation.
"I only got to know about the incident when we landed at Heathrow airport," Farrugia said, unaware of allegations that Vella had photographed him and his colleague and that he had reportedly been arrested.
Yesterday evening, government sources said Vella was "not arrested" but "interrogated after he was caught taking pictures with his mobile phone in a restricted zone".
The questioning took place at the Malta Imternational Airport.
As an immigration officer, Vella falls under OMAS, the office of the manager of airport security.
In a statement, the Police said it was investigating an immigration officer who allegedly breached airport security regulations when he took pictures in a restricted zone which falls under the responsibility of the Police.
"The official was asked to give an explanation for his actions. He was approached by the Police after security footage had been examined," the Police said.
According to media reports, Vella is denying the allegations and said that he colloborated with the police. But according to government sources, Vella refused to hand in his mobile when he was asked to do so by police officers.
But speaking to the media after the police let him go, Vella said he had fully collaborated with the police and gave them his mobile. "The police approached me and I didn't know what they they were looking for. They searched through my media gallery and didn't find the non-existent photos," he said.
"In a nutshell the police received reports that I may have taken pictures of Farrugia and Attard."
Vella said a report had been filed by "more than one person".
"I don't know who these persons are, but in my four-page statement I insisted that the police investigate these two persons who want to damage my reputation," Vella said.
He also said that the police had confiscated his mobile and tablet and denied he had been suspended from work.
Around 10 communications coordinators today left Malta to London to attend a course on government image and communications.