PN MP Jason Azzopardi said in Parliament today, that an adjudicator on the Small Claims Tribunal, John Bonello, has been passing comments on social media which put his impartiality into question.

The Chamber of Advocates, he said, has been inundated with complaints as well, and wrote to the person in question as a result. He said submitted thirteen screenshots to Parliament, of what he described as this person ridiculing PN Executive President Ann Fenech, a PN MEP, PN Leader Simon Busuttil, the PN, etc. He then tabled the screenshots.

"He has a right to his own political opinion. Even if he were to have a point in what he said that would not be the issue, as it is not on to have an adjudicator, appointed by the President of the Republic to administer justice and at the same time, involve themselves in partisan political comments. He cannot remain impartial"

"Can you imagine having a referee in a Roma - Lazio football match, who previously played for Roma. The Lazio players would cry foul. Justice must both be done, and be seen to be done at the same time."

The PN MP said that he asked a PQ to the minister regarding this issue, and the minister told him that if he feels there is such a situation, he could file a complaint with the Commission for the Administration of Justice.  He criticized the minister for not knowing the law, and said that persons serving on the Small Claims Tribunal are like Magistrates, and can only be removed through a 2/3rds majority of the House. The Minister, however, said this was not the case and said that the person in question is a lawyer and is not treated as a Judge or Magistrate.

He said that this goes against the code of ethics for Magistrates.

Dr Jason Azzopardi sent a letter to the Chief Justice asking him to take action in accordance with the Constitution.

Read the letter here.