Victoria mayor Samuel Azzopardi was reinstated today after a court declared this week that a drink-driving case, for which he had shown regret, should not deter him from his political, cultural and social activities.

In a statement this afternoon, Dr Azzopardi said the Nationalist Party withdrew his suspension following the court’s declaration.

Dr Azzopardi apologised for his behaviour and said he understood that he had been wrong. The fact that there were no serious consequences did not justify what he did.

This incident, he said, had taught him a lesson and he was committing himself to public life. He also thanked the party for giving him a second chance.