Opposition questions Commission's change of heart on judge's appointment

The Nationalist Party has questioned why the government decided a magistrate should still be appointed judge notwithstanding her being rebuked by the Commission for the Administration of Justice. Asked by the Times of Malta if the Opposition agreed with the government on the promotion of Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera, a party spokesman said it had yet to understand what made the Judicial Appointments Committee change its position and accept her nomination, having rejected it last year. The spokesman recalled that Dr Scerri Herrera’s promotion had been blocked after the judiciary watchdog concluded she had breached the code of ethics through her behaviour in her private life. The Judiciary Appointments Committee unanimously agreed the government would be sending the wrong message if she were made judge. However, the Appointments Committee changed its mind after Justice Minister Owen Bonnici submitted her nomination again soon after Chief Justice Emeritus Silvio Camilleri reached retirement age and was succeeded by Joe Azzopardi. It is not known whether the latest decision by the Appointments Committee was unanimous. By law, the committee’s procedures are confidential. Dr...