A man caught with a loaded gun as he was about to board a flight to London Gatwick has told police he was carrying the weapon after having been threatened.

Mark Anthony Sammut, 32, a notary, is due to appear in court this morning.

He was held by security staff at Malta International Airport on Saturday when a 0.35 calibre Brevette pistol loaded with five bullets was spotted in his luggage during X-ray scanning before boarding the Air Malta flight.

Dr Sammut, who lives in Zebbug, is a Labour Party candidate and Malta's Honorary Consul to Latvia.

Police sources yesterday said Dr Sammut admitted the gun was his and said he had been carrying it after having received threats recently. He was remanded in custody.

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