The retirement of judge Farrugia Sacco without him being impeached for irregularities committed is a black day for justice in Malta, Nationalist Party deputy leader Mario de Marco said this morning.

Farrugia Sacco turns 65 today and will retire with full pension in spite of an impeachment motion which Parliament did not debate after the judge resorted to legal action.

Speaking in front of the law courts, Dr de Marco said it was also a black day for judges who work hard to bring about justice, for accountability and for those who believe in the quality of law.

“If we do not respect the law then justice is just a piece of paper. We need to show that we believe in justice through facts and not through words. Government had a test to see that judiciary is also accountable and it failed,” Dr de Marco said.

Dr De Marco said that today marks a victory for those who believe themselves above the law.

He mentioned that Parliament had been advised by former European Court of Human Rights Judge Giovanni Bonello to continue proceedings in Parliament. In addition, Dr De Marco argued that regardless of the human rights case that Judge Farrugia Sacco initiated, the Parliamentary debate should have gone through.

The Commission for the Administration of Justice had twice concluded that the Judge broke the ethical code, he added.

The impeachment had been initiated by by former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, however was then dropped following the 2013 elections ad Dr Gonzi was no longer a member of Parliament. It was then refiled by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. This procedure was challenged by Judge Farrugia Sacco in court.

In reply, the government condemned the Opposition for taking political advantage in a sensitive situation.

The government said it proceeded with caution and responsibility in the situation, and is not ready to put aside fundamental rights.