The editor of the Labour Party’s Maltese newspaper Kullħadd, Felix Agius, was yesterday found not to have libelled veterinarian Mireille Vella after an article detailed how she carried out private work while employed with the Government and without the necessary permit.

Dr Vella who is the director general of the Malta Communications and Consumer Affairs Authority, said she possessed the necessary permit but Magistrate Francesco Depasquale said she failed to provide the documentation to prove this.

Magistrate Depasquale said the story as reported was the result of investigative and faithful journalism by Owen Galea and Julia Farrugia. He dismissed the libel case against the editor.