The Labour Party yesterday protested against discrimination which it claims is taking place against a police superintendent and called for the "abuse" with promotions in the force to stop immediately.

Deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia and home affairs spokesman Michael Falzon said the police force was there to enforce justice and thus could not be allowed to be unjust towards its own ranks.

Dr Farrugia, a former police superintendent, signed a judicial application in which Superintendent Raymond Zammit is asking the courts to issue a warrant of prohibitory injunction to stop promotions to assistant commissioner.

The application was filed against Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and Police Commissioner John Rizzo.

Supt Zammit is alleging that the selection process was vitiated because he had not been given the points he deserved, particularly for knowledge and seniority.

Five assistant police commissioners were to be appointed, and Supt Zammit placed sixth, even though he believes he should have ranked second or third. The police force felt it was not ethical to comment once the matter had not yet been decided by the court.

The Home Affairs Ministry said it was premature to reach any conclusions before first allowing the courts to look into the case.

The government, the ministry said, left the appointment of assistant commissioners to an independent board rather than issue direct orders as was the case in the past.

The selection process was based on regulations drawn up by the Public Service Commission.

Supt Zammit had featured prominently in the Egyptair hijack some two decades ago when he was a sergeant with the Special Mobile Unit (SMU).