Justice Minister Chris Said yesterday said that it was up to the Chief Justice to decide whether to suspend Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco from his duties until a decision on his impeachment was taken.

Dr Said stressed he did not want to influence in any way the ongoing procedures when asked to comment whether he agrees with Labour leader Joseph Muscat that it would be more prudent if Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco does not continue to hear cases until a decision by the Commission for the Administration of Justice was taken.

“The law gives the Chief Justice powers he can use; but it is up to him to decide,” the Justice Minister said.

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco and MOC general secretary Joe Cassar were mentioned by the International Olympic Committee in a probe over the sale of Olympic tickets. The investigation started after an investigation by undercover reporters of The Sunday Times of London, who posed as ticket agents.

Although the Commission for the Administration of Justice was deliberating whether there was a case for the impeachment of the judge due to a breach of the code of ethics, Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco has continued to hear cases.

Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri has not taken a formal position despite a call by Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino, who is a former chief justice, for the judge to be suspended until a decision is taken.

Dr Farrugia Sacco filed libel proceedings against the former chief justice as well as a constitutional case demanding that two members of the commission’s watchdog be removed as he could not be granted a fair hearing.