Mr Justice Michael Mallia, sitting in the Court of Appeal, has ordered the police to institute proceedings for perjury against Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said.

The decision was taken after a legal challenge filed against the police by a man who was involved in a custody fight with his partner, who, for a time, was represented by Dr Said before he became an MP.

The man had argued that Dr Said gave wrong evidence in a court sitting about the precise time when a court had decided to award temporary custody of the baby to the mother.

Dr Said had said the decision was taken in an evening sitting in January 2007, whereas the decree was actually issued by the court in the afternoon, before the actual sitting.

Following a complaint, the police had decided that there was no case against Dr Said. A magistrate's court had also decided there was no case since the discrepancy in evidence had no bearing on the custody case.

The man, however, filed a court challenge for the police to take action. His request was upheld by the appeals court today.