The Nationalist Party and rule of law NGO Repubblika have accused Justice Minister Jonathan Attard of “attacking” the judiciary, after he said he expected the committee responsible for appointing judges to steer away from “controversial” candidates. In a statement Tuesday, the PN characterised the minister’s words as a “shameful” attempt to influence the committee responsible for appointing judges. “It is disgraceful that the justice minister chose to appear on ONE to launch an attack on a member of the judiciary who, as is her full right, applied to be appointed as judge,” the party said. “Such comments should not be made by anyone, least of all by the Minister responsible for justice in our country”, the PN said, adding it “remains firmly committed to defending the institutions of our nation”. In a separate statement, Repubblika characterised Attard’s words as “an attack on the independence of the judiciary”.