A 10-year-old girl who was ordered by a judge to return to her mother in the UK will this morning learn whether her wish to stay here with her father has been granted.

The case, heard behind closed doors, began last week in a last-ditch attempt by lawyers who resorted to the Constitutional Court claiming a breach of rights.

Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi listened to what the girl, Ella Bridge, had to say in his chambers before the case started.

He had already declared he had her best interests at heart.

Ella’s father, Richard, had started the legal battle when her mother, Nicki Lee, successfully argued in a British court that her permission should have been sought before her daughter was taken from the UK.

The Family Court in Malta ordered Ella to return to the UK and an appeal was thrown out on a legal technicality because it was filed two days late.

Lawyer Aron Mifsud Bonnici then sought redress in the Constitutional Court.