Proceedings against Chris Said end as appeal deadline expires

Court proceedings against former Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said formally came to an end this afternoon when the police did not appeal last Thursday's court decision which acquitted Dr Said of perjury charges.

Dr Said had been arraigned by the police following a court order in connection with evidence he gave in court in a child custody case in which he was a lawyer to one of the parties.

The court found that Dr Said had not given false evidence which could have influenced the case.

The police had up to today at 3 p.m. to file an appeal.

It is understood that Anthony Xuereb, the other party in the child custody case, had no right to appeal since it was actually an appeal decision in a case he had instituted which led to the proceedings against Dr Said..

Dr Said had stepped down on September 23.

The conclusion of the court process is expected to pave the way for Dr Said's reinstatement. In accepting Dr Said's resignation, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had expressed the wish to be in a position to reappoint him once the court proceedings were over.