The shadow minister for justice has written to the Chief Justice, asking him to initiate disciplinary proceedings against an adjudicator who presides the Small Claims Tribunal after he posted politically partisan comments on his Facebook page.

Jason Azzopardi said in his letter tabled in Parliament this evening, that while everyone had a right for his political opinion, the actions of lawyer Dr John Bonello went against the spirit and the letter of the Code of Ethics for the members of the judiciary, which is also applicable to those who preside the Small Claims Tribunal.

It was anathema for those who wanted justice to be done and to be seen to be done that those tasked with the administration of justice involved themselves in partisan politics, Dr Azzopardi said.

In his speech in parliament, Dr Azzopardi presented 13 sceneshots of writings ridiculing, among others, PN President Anne Fenech, Opposition members including Simon Busuttil, a Net news service, an Opposition MEP, the AZAD chairman, PN candidates and the Archbishop.

He said that adjudicators, like judges and magistrates, could only be removed by two-thirds majority in the House. They were therefore expected to behave and act like the other members of the judiciary.

He said the Chamber of Advocates has been inundated with complaints about Dr Bonello and he was asked to explain himself, but had not done to.