He also claimed that what happened “was not in accordance with an understanding” he claims to have had with WSC.

Up to yesterday, The situation is at a standstill – the water supply shut off and Mr Mintoff, according to The Times, getting water from a neighbour.

Mr Mintoff’s lawyer, Dr Joe Buttigieg, told The Times that Mr Mintoff owed WSC Lm870. However, sources told The Malta Independent the actual sum owed was “higher” since he has not paid his bills for seven years.

Dr Buttigieg told The Times that Mr Mintoff claims he is owed money by the government for repairs to his drainage system, for instance. Mr Mintoff claims it was damaged by workers of the public service. However, this is disputed by the government. Government sources point out that the alleged damage to Mr Mintoff’s drainage system had only occurred recently and that Mr Mintoff had stopped paying much before that.

WSC sources said that, normally, the supply is reconnected only if a defaulter pays one half of what is owed and a programme for repayment within a year of the amount owed is drawn up and agreed by both sides.