Former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo had insisted with the police that allegations that he received money to reduce a man’s jail term on appeal were 'a frame-up'.

Dr Arrigo's statements to the police continued to be heard in court this morning during the trial of Dr Arrigo.

The former Chief Justice is being charged with bribery and trading in influence in a case that has already seen former Judge Patrick Vella being jailed for two years for accepting €23,000 to reduce the jail term of drug trafficker, Mario Camilleri, also known as L-Imnieħru, from a 16-year-jail term to 12 years. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial started yesterday before Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo.

Tapes of his 278-page statement are being played in court.

Dr Arrigo was heard telling the Commissioner in tapes played this morning that he told Anthony Grech Sant, who allegedly acted as the middleman, that he did not want any money and that if he had any extra money, he should give it to charity.

Joe Galea, an employee in a company owned by Dr Arrigo, had told the police that Dr Arrigo accepted a packet with Lm1,500 and that he paid with Lm20 notes at Empire Pharmacy to try to get rid of the cash.