PBS programmes manager Simon Lumsden resigned last Friday after being placed on forced leave for allegedly substituting his expired licence disc with that of another car, The Sunday Times has learnt.

Sources said Mr Lumsden allegedly replaced the expired windscreen licence disc of his personal car with that of one of the station's vehicles.

The case came to light when a warden issued the vehicle with a ticket after it was parked on a double yellow line.

It is understood that he was then placed on forced leave and tendered his resignation on Friday.

PBS chairman Claire Thake Vassallo would not confirm the incident saying she did not want to go into the merits of the case.

She said that Mr Lumsden's resignation was not forced and added that asking questions about this case was "in bad taste" and "insensitive", even when reminded that PBS was the national television station and therefore in the public domain. It is not known whether Mr Lumsden, who was also a member on the station's editorial board, will be prosecuted.

Mr Lumsden previously worked for Calypso Radio, when the station was based in Gozo, and with The Malta Independent, before going to the UK to work for a regional radio station.

He used to present the More Music Breakfast Show on PBS's radio station Magic. The station is now managed by a part-timer but a popular radio personality should be taking over as manager shortly.

Mr Lumsden could not be contacted for comment.