A magistrate yesterday accused Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit of trying to tamper with the justice system by failing to notify the former editor of a Labour newspaper about a court sitting.

Magistrate FrancescoDepasquale said he found this interference “unacceptable” and deplored the behaviour of the acting commissioner and the accused.

Because of Mr Zammit’s “shortcomings”, he could not deliver judgment in the criminal libel case against ex-Kullħadd editor Felix Agius, which started 13 years ago.

This was the fifth time handing down judgment had to be postponed due to Mr Agius’s absence.

The judgment had been ready for several months but could not be read out in court because once again Mr Agius was not present.

Fining Mr Zammit €300, Magistrate Depasquale ordered him to ensure he notify Mr Agius of the next sitting on November 19.

Richard Cachia Caruana, then head of secretariat at the OPM, had over a 2001 article claiming he insisted the police interrogate a journalist and editor over an article.

Last night, Mr Zammit strongly denied any attempt to tamper with the justice system. The prosecutor was abroad yesterday and had told the court of this three weeks ago.

He invited the court to pass on any information on the allegations to the inquiring magistrate.