Minister wins Lm1,600 in libel damages

A court has awarded Health Minister Louis Deguara Lm1,600 in libel damages after concluding that an article entitled Ta' Deguara Preferuti (Deguara's are favoured) published in the newspaper Kullhadd in February 1999 was libellous.

Dr Deguara filed his writ for libel damages against Felix Agius, the editor of Kullhadd and requested the court to condemn Mr Agius to pay him libel damages.

According to Dr Deguara the article was libellous as it had alleged that he had, abusively and illegally, used his influence for a petrol pump permit to be issued to Victor Chetcuti, who was his former chauffeur.

Dr Deguara denied that he had ever been involved, directly or indirectly, in the issue of this permit, nor had he intervened to assist in the permit issue. In fact, Dr Deguara said that the permit had been issued at a time when a Labour government was in office.

Mr Agius pleaded that the article was not libellous and that it was fair comment.

Mr Justice Gino Camilleri pointed out in his judgment that Mr Agius had failed to substantiate his pleas.

The court added that a parliamentary question had clearly established the fact that the permit had been issued when the Malta Labour Party was in government and that the newspaper could have easily verified its facts before printing the article.

The court concluded that the article was libellous and it ordered Mr Agius to pay Dr Deguara Lm1,600 in damages.