Police not investigating claims against magistrate

Police are not investigating serious allegations made by columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia against magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, according to officers who spoke to The Sunday Times.

In a series of blog entries in the past few weeks, Ms Caruana Galizia lashed out at the magistrate, arguing that her behaviour was inappropriate for someone in her position. The magistrate reacted by filing a police report claiming defamation and also abstained from presiding over two unrelated libel hearings involving the columnist.

But this did not initiate a separate police investigation into the claims themselves - some of which were serious.

Ms Caruana Galizia also claimed the magistrate was being investigated by the Commission for the Administration of Justice following a complaint of abuse of power.

The Commission never confirmed nor denied this as its deliberations are confidential. But recently, President George Abela, who presides over the Commission, said the claims made by Ms Caruana Galizia about the magistrate were noted.

He said: "The Commission took note (of the blogs). Then the Commission will see how it will act and is acting," Dr Abela said.

The police, on the other hand, would not officially say whether they are investigating the claims.

When first asked whether there was an investigation, the police's information office said it would be unethical to divulge such information. Later, it said it was standard practice not to give out such details.

However, the police have on many occasions declared whether or not they are investigating a case. When this was pointed out to the information office, it simply reiterated its position.

"The police do not divulge any type of information regarding any cases they might be investigating and this is due to the fact that same information might be detrimental to said investigation," the police said.

Police officers who spoke to The Sunday Times on condition of anonymity, however, said no investigation was being held.

One said: "The thinking is probably that the veracity of (Ms Caruana Galizia's) claims will be settled in the defamation case which should start next week."

mmicallef@timesofmalta.com