The spot featured a clip from an interview with Mgr Charles Vella, the founder of the Cana Movement. The interview was carried on One TV’s Bla Aġenda.

The movement had argued that the decision to stop airing the clip was a form of censorship that violated its right of freedom of expression.

In the clip, Mgr Vella said, among other things, he was not scared of divorce because of his belief in the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage.

He had protested after the clip was first shown that he was quoted out of context and he was never in favour of the introduction of divorce.

The court declared that while the clip had not been altered and no comments by Mgr Vella had been withdrawn, the comments had been given by Mgr Vella before the referendum was declared and were not meant to be used by one movement against another. Mgr Vella's permission was needed for the Divorce Movement to use the footage. The court also said that the only failing by the Broadcasting Authority was of not having enquired whether Mgr Vella's permission had been sought, before the first clips were broadcast.

A spokesman for the movement said they would not appeal because there is insufficient time - there are only four days of campaigning left, including today.