Chris Said resignation: 'I am stepping down to prove my innocence in court'

Parliamentary secretary Chris Said has announced his resignation, and is stepping down to clear his name in a case of perjury that is expected to be filed against him by the Commissioner of Police.

He will be asking the criminal courts to have the case heard with urgency, saying he took the decision to resign “serenely, because this is what correctness demands.”

In a press conference at 4:30pm held at the Osborne Hotel, in Valletta, he said he could not say whether this case would spell the end of his political career, when asked whether he expected the Prime Minister to reinstate him if he was acquitted.

Said was caught up in an emotional moment when he was asked whether he had informed his relatives. He started sobbing as he explained how hard it was to inform his mother of his decision.

“I believe it is important to be correct in politics, which is why I am resigning so that I can contest these charges and prove my innocence… my testimony had no bearing on this case and its effects.”

When asked whether the case had any political bearing, given that his accuser’s lawyer is Labour MP Justyne Caruana, Said refused to comment on the matter.

The resignation comes as Judge Michael Mallia today ordered the Police Commissioner to file criminal charges against Said, over perjury in a case that involves the custody of a child.

The case goes back to 2007 when Said was lawyer to a British woman who was seeking custody of her baby from his Gozitan father. A court in Gozo decided to award temporary custody of the baby while the case was considered.

Said said the woman later chose another lawyer, and he handed over the case-file of to him.

Then in 2008, he was summoned to court to testify on the previous case when the court gave the woman temporary custody “during an evening sitting in January 2007”.

This statement prompted the baby’s father, Martin Xuereb, to file proceedings against Said, arguing that what he said was untrue as the court had decided in the afternoon in camera, before the evening sitting.

At first, the police on advice of the Attorney General, said there were no legal grounds for proceedings against Said. The same court also decided that there were no grounds for proceedings since the discrepancy in the evidence had no bearing on the case at issue.

Nonetheless the baby’s father filed a court challenge against the police and the court, presided by Mr Justice Michael Mallia, decided that legal proceedings should be instituted against Dr Said.

The Prime Minister has accepted Said’s resignation and will reinstate him if he is acquitted of the charges (see letter below).

Chris Said's letter to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister's letter to Chris Said.

GRTU Reaction

In a statement GRTU boss Vince Farrugia commented about Chris Said's resignation :“Chris Said is one of the most valuable and hard working members of Government. GRTU and I personally have an excellent relationship with this young and very promising elected administrator. There are too many important issues effecting micro and small enterprises currently being managed efficiently by Chris Said. While I admire Chris Said’s courage and conviction I do hope that the issue is handled with utmost urgency and sincerely augur that Chris Said is back in office the soonest”. Concluded Vince Farrugia, GRTU Director General and member of the EESC