Proceedings were temporarily halted during the Air India bombing trial Wednesday after a frustrated Crown prosecutor asked a defence witness if he was "an idiot."

Lawyer Richard Cairns was cross-examining Kamal Jit, a New York cab driver, who repeatedly said he did not understand the questions. He also said he could not remember parts of a May interview with Cairns.

"Sir, are you an idiot?" Cairns asked Jit.

The question prompted the courtroom to burst into laughter. Court Justice Ian Josephson called for a recess.

"What a remarkable thing to say," he told Cairns, who later apologized for his remark.

The defence had called on Jit to raise doubts about an important Crown witness who is also an FBI informant.

Cairns asked Jit if he ever discussed his evidence before testifying.

Jit repeatedly denied talking to anyone, even defence lawyers.

But during the break, the defence admitted they did meet with Jit, and he was instructed not to discuss their conversation with anyone.

Jit is among the final defence witnesses. He testified Monday that the FBI informant known as "John" had sought money from the family of accused bomber Ajaib Singh Bagri so he could flee to India to avoid testifying.

Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik are charged with eight counts, including conspiracy and murder, in connection with the two bombings on June 23, 1985.

The first blast killed two baggage handlers transferring a Vancouver suitcase to an Air India flight at Tokyo's Narita Airport.

Later, Air India Flight 182, en route from Toronto to India, exploded off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 aboard.