The Nationalist Party said today that it viewed the government's actions in yesterday's meeting of the parliamentary House Business Committee as an attempt to save face for Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco and possibly delay impeachment proceedings until he retired in August.

The government MPs on the committee said yesterday that they had been advised that the impeachment motion moved in the last legislature by then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was no longer valid.

The Speaker also said he had such advice. He is expected to give a formal ruling today.

PN Justice spokesman Beppe Fenech Adami said the government should not create obstacles for the immediate removal of Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco.

He said that the position adopted by the government MPs yesterday was aimed at erasing the whole impeachment process which had led the Commission for the Administration of Justice to find a prima facie case of misbehaviour by the judge. 

The PN said it was appealing to the government not to create further obstacles for Parliament to immediately decide on the removal of the judge. 

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco is currently not hearing cases, since they were reassigned to other judges.

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