Chris Said’s reinstatement more likely

Gozitan MP Chris Said could soon be reinstated as parliamentary secretary, a post he occupied until a few weeks ago after the police decided not to appeal a court ­decision that cleared him of ­perjury charges.

The Police Commissioner had until yesterday afternoon to ­submit his appeal following his acquittal last Thursday.

The matter revolves around a child custody case in which Dr Said had appeared as legal counsel to the child’s mother. He had been summoned to testify and, subsequently, the child’s father accused Dr Said of lying under oath.

A magistrate, the Attorney General and the police had found no case of perjury but when the matter went before the court of appeal, a judge ordered the police to proceed against Dr Said. He appeared before the Magistrates’ Court, which cleared him of the charges.

Dr Said stepped down on September 23, protesting his innocence but stressing he was forced to resign given the gravity of the charge and to be able to defend himself.

In accepting his resignation, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had expressed the wish to be in a position to reappoint him once the court proceedings were over.

Following his acquittal last week, Dr Gonzi did not comment on the outcome of the case but said a decision on whether Dr Said would be reappointed parliamentary secretary would only be taken once the appeal period set by law expired.