Updated - Norman Vella this evening said justice had been done when a court declared that there was no reasonable suspicion that he had committed a crime at the airport last Sunday.

In a hastily called press conference, Mr Vella deposited the text of the judgement at the front door of the Auberge de Castille and said responsibility had to be assumed for what happened. There had been abuse of power and it was the prime minister's duty to ensure that responsibility was shouldered.

Mr Vella, an immigration officer and former broadcaster, was held at his place of work (the airport) and interrogated by the police on Sunday after it was alleged that he photographed Kurt Farrugia, head of government communications and Ramona Attard, communications coordinator of the Home Affairs Ministry in a restricted area of the airport. His phone and tablet were seized.

Mr Vella instituted a court case for their return and a Magistrate this evening declared there was no reasonable suspicion that Mr Vella had committed a crime and the items should therefore be returned immediately (See separate story).

Defence lawyer Therese Commodini Cachia said the placing of the judgement document at the door of the Auberge de Castille had a symbolic meaning.

Justice had been served at the law courts, but one now also expected justice at government level, she said.

COMMISSIONER'S REACTION

Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit in comments after the court judgement said the police had acted as they were supposed to, the case had ended in court in terms of the democratic process had now, if there was a mistaken procedure, it would be remedied.

MP'S REACTION

Meanwhile Labour MP Luciano Busuttil, without specifically referring to Norman Vella by name, said on facebook: "As far as I know, to throw away or deposit a piece of paper outside in a public place carries a fine."