Mamdouh El-Waly, the chairman of the Egyptian Press Syndicate, has criticised the board’s attempt to transfer him to the syndicate's disciplinary board for attending meetings of the Constituent Assembly, of which he is a member.

El-Waly said that syndicate rules do not allow the chairman to be sent in front of the disciplinary board.

"Syndicate by-laws stipulate that a journalist is questioned first, before being transferred to a disciplinary board,” El-Waly told Ahram Online. "The by-laws also do not allow any disciplinary measures to be taken against the chairman.”

Earlier on Saturday, the syndicate's board held a press conference, announcing that disciplinary measures would be taken against syndicate members who have continued to represent the press in the constitution-drafting body, despite the board’s decision on 20 November to withdraw from the Constituent Assembly.

Mamdouh El-Waly had intitially abided by the syndicate's decision but changed course and attended the final vote on the draft on Thursday.      

The final draft of the constitution was finished on Friday morning. It is expected to be presented on Saturday to President Mohamed Morsi.