Minister Konrad Mizzi has formally dropped the constitutional case filed on December 7 claiming that his fundamental rights had been breached in the judicial process sparked off by a request for a magisterial inquiry by former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil following revelations in the Panama Papers.

Read: Court rejects Konrad Mizzi's request to hold up Panama appeal proceedings

Dr Mizzi’s constitutional application had prompted a request by Dr Busuttil and MEP David Casa for authorisation to intervene in the suit.

Yet when the case was due to continue on Wednesday morning, the applicant’s lawyers - the minister was not present in court - informed the court that the minister was formally presenting a note to cede the case.

This was done in view of Monday's decree by the Criminal Court whereby Mr Justice Giovanni Grixti decided that there were not grounds for any inquiry based on the information that had been given by Dr Busuttil. The judge also overturned the earlier decision by a Magistrates’ Court giving the green light for a magisterial inquiry against seven high-profile personalities, including Minister Mizzi.

Read: Court rejects Simon Busuttil’s request for a Panama Papers inquiry

In view of this formal declaration by the Minister’s lawyers, Mr Justice Robert Mangion upheld the request for cession of the constitutional proceedings and declared the case closed.

Dr Mizzi's lawyers were Aron Mifsud Bonnici and John Bonello.

Dr Simon Busuttil, present on Wednesday, was assisted by Dr Jason Azzopardi.

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