Former Labour deputy leader Michael Falzon wins libel suit

Former Labour deputy leader Michael Falzon was yesterday awarded €3,500 in damages after a court ruled that an article titled Policing One's Enemies that appeared in MaltaToday two years ago was libellous in his regard.

Dr Falzon had filed his libel action against the article's author, architect Michael Falzon, and against Saviour Balzan, the newspaper's editor.

According to Dr Falzon, the article implied that he had made use of the police and manipulated them to cause damage to a third party. The article also compared his actions with those of the notorious state security service of former East Germany, the Stasi.

The Commissioner of Police had testified and denied that Dr Falzon had used any influence or persuasion. Dr Falzon had asked the Police Commissioner to investigate an anonymous and threatening letter he had received and no extra priority had been given to the investigation.

While accepting the principle that politicians were open to close scrutiny by journalists and the public, the court found that politicians were also entitled to the protection of the libel laws.

No evidence had been brought by the defendants in this case to prove the allegations made.

Magistrate Silvio Meli ruled the article libellous and ordered Mr Falzon to pay Dr Falzon €2,500 in damages. Mr Balzan was ordered to pay Dr Falzon €1,000 in damages.