Ex-legal adviser testifies in libel suits against GWU daily

Lawyer George Abela yesterday took the witness stand in two libel cases he filed against the editor of l-orizzont, Francis Ghirxi, and categorically denied a series of allegations made in two articles published in the newspaper.

The first libel suit was based on an article entitled Il-Kwistjoni Tal-Konferenza Generali Staordinarja Tat-Taqsima Settur Pubbliku - Aktar Rapportagg Zleali Mill-Media Tal-PN (The General Worker's Union's Public Sector Section's Extraordinary General Meeting - More Unfaithful Reporting By The PN Media) published on August 5.

Dr Abela, a former legal adviser to the GWU, explained that the article followed the issue of a press release by the union. The press release said that a court decision to stop an extraordinary general meeting for public sector section delegates from taking place had not been reported faithfully by the Nationalist Party media. It also said that the PN media found support in comments given to them by Dr Abela.

Dr Abela explained to Magistrate Silvio Meli how he had been misreported by the PN media which had, in fact, printed a correction.

Yet, he added, l-orizzont had published the libellous article, based on the one in which he had been misreported, despite the correction.

The content of the article was libellous as it contained false information that was offensive to his honour and integrity, he said. Commenting on part of the article in which it was alleged that he had affinities with the PN, Dr Abela explained how his legal firm had been awarded a Mepa contract after the authority issued a call for applications. He explained that he never approached or was approached by the government or the PN for consultancy purposes.

He added that he never filed a court case against the union but had filed cases on behalf of his clients who included (former section secretary) Josephine Attard Sultana.

Dr Abela also testified in a libel suit against Mr Ghirxi, this time over an article entitled Sorprizi Bl-Agir Ta' George Abela - Jithallas Eluf Kbar Ta' Liri Mill-Gvern Nazzjonalista, Izda Jiehu Ghalih Meta Jinghad Li Ghandu Affinità mal-PN, (Surprised By George Abela's Behaviour - He's Paid Thousands Of Liri By The Nationalist Government But Is Offended When It Is Said He Has An Affinity With The PN), published on August 11.

He denied claims made in the article including one that he was ever involved in the termination of employment of union staff and added: "I spent 25 years as a lawyer of the GWU and never took decisions on the way the union was run. These were taken by union officials".