The jury hearing misconduct allegations against former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid has been discharged after new evidence emerged.

Obeid, 72, was on trial at the NSW Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to wilful misconduct in public office.

Justice Robert Beech-Jones on Wednesday informed the jury they would be relieved from their posts on what would have been the 10th day of the trial.

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“It is with great regret that I must inform you that I am obliged to discharge you from your function as jurors in the trial,” Justice Beech-Jones said.

“The necessity to discharge you has come about because during the course of the trial new evidentiary material has come to light which neither the prosecution nor the defence has had a proper opportunity to consider and examine.

“The obligation on the court to ensure a fair trial means that this trial cannot proceed without the parties being afforded that opportunity.”

He said this was not the fault of either side, and praised the jurors for the “close attention” with which they had considered the evidence over the course of the ill-fated trial.

The matter is expected to return to trial later this year.