The federal judge who rejected the Justice Department’s antitrust settlement with Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday delayed a hearing while his ruling is appealed. But he also issued an unusual 12-page statement that repeated sharp criticism of both parties.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Sporkin said he couldn’t determine if the case was in the public interest unless he had “certain basic information” such as “what was bargained away in secret at the negotiating table.”

Assistant Attorney General Anne K. Bingaman responded with a letter to the judge late Tuesday, stating there had been no “side deal” with Microsoft as a condition of the settlement.