Minister wins Lm200 in libel damages

The editor of KullHadd has been ordered to pay Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino Lm200 in libel damages.

Mr Pullicino had sued Felix Agius over an article entitled Jaggredixxi lill-president tal-bord tal-Pitkali crates (Assaults the president of the board of the Pitkali crates) published on February 5, 2006.

Magistrate Michael Mallia noted that near the article, bearing that headline, was a picture of Mr Pullicino. The article reported that Mr Pullicino had carried out an inspection at the Pitkali stores and did not like what he saw. There was yelling and when Joseph Farrugia intervened, the minister grabbed him by the neck, the article alleged.

Mr Pullicino argued this was not true and that the article was libellous and defamatory. He said there was an argument and Mr Farrugia insulted him and then turned to walk off. He grabbed Mr Farrugia's hood but denied grabbing him by the neck.

After hearing evidence and evaluating case law, the magistrate ruled this was a borderline case.

Although the article did not provide "accurate and reliable information" as to what really happened that day, the pulling of the hood may be taken as an act of aggression but not to the level that the article tried to portray, the magistrate ruled.