Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi has been deemed to have been in contempt of court after not turning up for a libel case instituted against him, Education Minister Owen Bonnici said.

Bonnici had filed for libel after an Azzopardi post on Facebook in which he had been described as a criminal.

Bonnici wrote on Facebook today that he had filed for libel to clear his name. “I do not deserve this adjective,” he wrote.

Bonnici said that he went to court for each of the appointments for the case to be heard. In the last sitting, the court had ordered Azzopardi to attend the next appointment, which was today. But he did not turn up and was held in contempt, Bonnici said.

Azzopardi finds it easy to throw mud and hurt people, but acts as a child when he has to face the consequences, Bonnici said.

In a statement later in the day, Azzopardi said that "The reason for my non appearance is very simple. After days of long and intense sittings, as recently as this week lasting almost 10 hours, with a long sitting again yesterday and having to plan for next week’s Court sittings, all in connection with the Public Inquiry and/or the compilation of evidence in relation to the assassination of Daphne, I simply forgot that I had Court today."

"No excuses. My fault yes. But since I’m only human I admit to having had my diary go haywire over the last weeks. Of course no disrespect to the Court, needless to say."

"As to Noddy, I can only tell him: I relish the next sitting. You will enjoy my giving evidence against you and the corrupt criminals you defended."