Allegations against Richard Muscat withdrawn

Joe Vella Bonnici, a former candidate for the post of secretary general of the Labour Party, withdrew allegations he made about "financial embezzlement" involving Richard Muscat.

Mr Vella Bonnici had written an article entitled Gonzi vs Gonzi that appeared in The Times alleging that Mr Muscat, a former managing director of Voice of the Mediterranean, had been involved in "financial embezzlement" at the radio station. The station, which was owned by the Maltese and Libyan governments, closed down in 2004 due to lack of financing.

In a libel case filed against him by Mr Muscat, Mr Vella Bonnici said that after hearing all the witnesses he was satisfied that there had been no wrongdoing on the part of Mr Muscat.

He, therefore, withdrew all the allegations he had made in the article.