Prime Minister rejects corruption charge

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said he felt offended by a corruption billboard mounted by the Labour Party during the election campaign.

Dr Gonzi was testifying in the case he instituted against the Malta Labour Party over the billboard that carried the word "corruption" and featured photos of himself, nine ministers and two parliamentary secretaries.

Shortly after the billboard was erected, the Prime Minister's and 11 other libel suits were instituted. Corruption was one of the main planks of the Labour campaign.

"As a politician I felt insulted by such an accusation," Dr Gonzi said in court.

Questioned by lawyer Pawlu Lia whether he was responsible for the actions of his ministers, Dr Gonzi said he was. He said he had publicly declared that every time he became aware of an allegation of corruption he always passed on the information to the competent authorities in order to investigate.

Dr Gonzi added that, although he had never dismissed any ministers, he had shuffled his Cabinet, giving them new responsibilities, but this had nothing to do with the subject of the billboard.

The case, being heard by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, continues.

Lawyer Joe Zammit Maempel appeared for the Prime Minister.