PBS board sacks CEO John Bundy over breach of procurement regulations

● ‘Some people are enjoying this’ - Bundy

John Bundy was yesterday evening unceremoniously sacked from his post of Chief Executive Officer of the Public Broadcasting Services, just 14 months after his appointment. The decision, taken unanimously by the board, was related to a breach of procurement regulations.

The former DJ and presenter yesterday told this newspaper that he had not been told about or invited to attend the meeting, which was not held at PBS.

Trouble between Bundy and the board had been brewing for some time but tensions flared recently over a €500,000 car leasing deal which Bundy signed without approval by the board. An audit carried out by RSM at the request of the board found that Bundy breached the national broadcaster’s procurement rules. The audit, which was leaked to the media, also found that Bundy ‘bullied’ senior management members.

In a statement yesterday PBS said the board had unanimously voted to terminate Bundy’s employment “with immediate effect.”

The vote was taken during a meeting for which the auditors, “who were tasked with investigating alleged irregularities in contracts awarded by PBS, were present.”

PBS said the decision was primarily motivated by the fact that Bundy “failed to follow the company’s Procurement Policies, which was also in breach of Public Procurement Regulations.”

It also announced that engineer Charles Dalli has been appointed as Acting CEO.

Speaking to this newspaper soon after the news of his sacking came out, Bundy said: “The aim has been reached. There are people who are really enjoying this.

“I am a bad man. I am a bully and my place is not among those who perceive themselves as righteous,” he said, sarcastically.

The rift between Bundy and the board came to light some weeks ago when the board, headed by Tonio Portughese, wrote to Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici threatening to resign if Bundy was not removed.

Things only got worse when Bundy signed a 14-year car leasing agreement, worth more than €500,000, with Burmarrad Commercials. It has been reported that Bundy went for a system normally used for minor purchases when the amount involved called for a public tender.

The board then commissioner the audit, which Bundy says was carried out behind his back.

Earlier this week he complained that he had only learnt about the audit and its findings from the media. He also claimed that chairman Tonio Portughese and his 'clique' wanted to get rid of him.

The former TV presenter said that the PBS board had met in secret and its members are acting as “prosecutors, jurors and judges.”

Bundy was appointed as PBS CEO in August 2016.