Ex-GWU lawyer wins libel suits against union daily

A magistrate yesterday ordered the General Workers' Union's daily, l-orizzont, to pay €2,800 (Lm1,202) in libel compensation to the union's former legal adviser.

George Abela had sued the newspaper editor, Frans Ghirxi, over an article about an extraordinary general conference of the GWU, published on August 5, 2006. Dr Abela had also filed a second libel suit entitled Surprise Action By George Abela.

The court ruled that the articles were libellous and Mr Ghirxi had not granted Dr Abela a right of reply.

Lawyers Lydia Zerafa and Ian Stafrace appeared for Dr Abela.