A judge yesterday reprimanded Labour deputy leader Toni Abela, remarking that his “unprofessional behaviour” had caused unnecessary delays in a case which had a “vital” bearing on the Maltese people.

Madam Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland made this remark after Dr Abela failed to summon any witnesses on behalf of the PL in the Constitutional Court case over the extra parliamentary seats being requested by the Nationalist Party due to a mistake in the counting of the general election votes. The court noted that all this occurred after it had acquiesced to Dr Abela’s request not to hold any sittings in October.

“The court cannot and is obliged not to allow that cases be delayed and hence orders all PL witnesses to be summoned in the next two sittings,” she said.

On his part, Dr Abela said he always showed respect to the court but noted that the case had been delayed due to shortcomings by another court at an earlier stage.

The case has been adjourned for January 13.