Louis Galea wins libel case

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Louis Galea, has been awarded €5,000 in libel damages following a press release issued by Joe Mifsud in 1997.

Dr Galea, who was then Minister of Social Policy and the Interior, claimed that he had been libelled by the press release entitled "Se Nibqa Nghid il-Verita' akkost ta' kollox"

Dr Galea told the court that the press release implied that he was associated in some manner with drug trafficking. Terming Dr Mifsud's publication as an unjust and malignant frame-up Dr Galea told the court that at the time he was the minister responsible for the battle against drugs and drug trafficking. The press release implied that he was more concerned about his political future than with the fight against drugs and that he had something to hide.

Dr Mifsud claimed that the press release was not libellous and that it constituted fair comment.

Mr Justice Camilleri found in favour of Dr Galea. The court said the press release implied that Dr Galea had something to hide about drug trafficking and that he was not collaborating with the authorities in the search for the importers of drugs. These allegations, said the court, were unfounded and libellous. Dr Mifsud had based his press release on the finding of Ciro del Negro's diary which contained names of persons allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Dr Galea was not mentioned in this diary. In view of the seriousness of the libel the court awarded Dr Galea €5,000 in damages.