Repubblika asks the Standards Commissioner to investigate judge Mintoff's claims

Updated 11.26am to include Momentum statement.

Rule of law group Repubblika and the Momentum political party have separately asked the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life to investigate sworn allegations about the prime minister made in a letter by Mr Justice Lawrence Mintoff.

The claims, Republikka pointed out, included undue pressure on a court employee, the use of parliamentary questions in the context of personal financial gain, private communication with a sitting judge about a judicial appointment, and political considerations for the appointment of the chief justice.  

Repubblika said that while it was not apportioning blame, such serious allegations by a member of the judiciary under oath demanded immediate and independent scrutiny.  

Repubblika said the purpose of its complaint was to safeguard public confidence in the institutions and the independence of the judiciary, particularly while the process for the appointment of the chief justice was underway.  

Momentum said it also wanted the prime minister to be investigated for allegedly communicating directly with a sitting judge on matters involving the law courts; his readiness to discriminate on the basis of age for the appointment of the chief justice; making his choice not on the basis of merit, but in a manner that would not anger Labour diehards, and being prepared to postpone the appintment to after the general elections, for political reasons.

The political party said the allegations made by Judge Mintoff were of utmost seriousness and the alleged immoral behaviour of the prime minister made Niccolo' Machiavelli appear to be a novice where scheming was involved.