The police have interviewed Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano in relation to the case of alleged bribery involving former judge Ray Pace.

Sources said there was no suspicion of wrongdoing but officers spoke to him after his name was mentioned by a witness during the criminal proceedings against Dr Pace.

Dr Pace and two men were charged in court over allegations that the former judge took bribes with the intention of influencing Mr Justice Quintano to hand down a lengthy prison term to Darren Desira, a convicted drug trafficker.

In court last week, Mr Desira said he knew beforehand that he would be jailed for 18 years by Mr Justice Quintano and accused the judge of having “acted strangely” when hearing the case.

Dr Pace resigned in December after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi presented an impeachment motion to remove him.

Two men, Raymond Caruana and Sandro Psaila, have been accused of attempting to bribe the ex-judge while Dr Pace has been charged with bribery offences and trading in influence.

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