The allegations made by columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia on Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera are not being investigated by the Commission for the Administration of Justice, The Times has learnt.

President George Abela, who chairs the commission, said yesterday that the body had "taken note of what is being said". However, when pressed further, Dr Abela said the commission was not investigating the case.

"The commission is not investigating. It has taken note and then it will see how to act," he said.

Ms Caruana Galizia made a series of allegations on the lifestyle of Magistrate Scerri Herrera in her blog. Ms Caruana Galizia argued that aspects of the magistrate's personal life and her behaviour were inappropriate for someone in her position.

The columnist even posted a number of photographs of the magistrate taken from the social networking website Facebook.

Earlier this week, the commission amended the code of ethics of the judiciary, barring magistrates and judges from becoming members of social network sites, citing propriety as the reason.

When asked whether the change was specifically introduced because of the ongoing polemic, Dr Abela said the decision was taken on the recommendation of Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano.

The Chief Justice proposed the amendment at a meeting of the commission on Monday.

"The commission evaluated and examined it and agreed with it," Dr Abela said, adding that propriety was important.

Asked whether he believed the publication of photos and the allegations made could have tarnished the reputation of the judiciary, the President replied that what was said in the commission was confidential. He repeated this when asked whether the commission would delve further into the issue.

The allegations have led Magistrate Scerri Herrera to file a police report "to protect her integrity" and she later abstained from presiding over two unrelated libel cases involving Ms Caruana Galizia.