Labour candidates file libel proceedings against Gatt
Mr Bartolo (right) and Dr Farrugia Sacco file their complaint against minister Austin Gatt.
Labour MP Evarist Bartolo and candidates Manuel Mallia and David Farrugia Sacco have formally filed a complaint to the police asking them to take action for criminal libel against Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt.
In comments outside Hamrun police station, Mr Bartolo and Dr Mallia said their complaints stemmed from the minister's comments at a press conference where he pointed a finger at them for having possibly created a frame-up against the minister in the oil procurement scandal.
The minister had pointed out that one of the e-mails published in the newspapers had originated from Mr Bartolo's facebook page, and the two lawyers had worked for the Farrugia Family, of which George Farrugia formed part.
Dr Farrugia Sacco said that while he had known that at IT audit had been made of the Farrugias' computers, he was not privy to the information that was revealed. He declined to say who carried out the audit.
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Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 21st, 18:02
Gatt's allegation of a frame up just does not make sense. Are the police therefore proceeding on the basis of fake emails? Are they that stupid? Does Gatt feel that he has been framed? How can that be if there is no reference to him in the emails, fake or not? Why is he claiming to be framed up when he claims not to be involved? Nahseb li zelaq waha sew hawn.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 21st, 17:12
Filing a litany of libel suits that have no possibility of being decided before voting day is only an unconvincing trick intended to suppress valid criticism and to hide abuse temporarily under the carpet of the law's delay. Filing a suit does not imply automatically that the alleged fact is not perfectly true and that it is not libellous at all.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 21st, 18:00
In this case, they have asked for a hearing with urgency. The hope that their names will be cleared from Gatt's mud throwing without any basis before the election day. The PN's tactic of throwing mud at the last minute is well known. We expect more in the last two weeks. The Pn dirty tricks dept must be very busy.
M Grima
Feb 21st, 18:07
So, according to you if politicians file a libel suit just before an election, they are wasting their time.
Therefore on your advice politicians can lie as much as they like, they can defame anyone under the sun and they can get away with murder on condition they do it before an election. Somebody please pinch me!!
Ray Abela
Feb 21st, 18:21
Filing a suit does not imply automatically that the alleged fact is not perfectly true
There is NO SUCH THING as NOT PERFECTLY TRUE. You are either telling the truth or basically LYING! And I assure you the latter is the case. Have you ever wondered why AG did not declare his Swiss holdings since 2005? Use your imagination! It has come in both useful and handy in these investigations!
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 21st, 22:09
And your point is....? Should the libel proceedings be started after the voting? Should the libel proceedings be treated with urgency to be settled before the voting? In your view, does the filing of a libel suit automatically imply that the libel is groundless?
Angela Galea
Feb 21st, 16:57
If these three are as credible as their leader - Joseph Muscat - the one who was caught lying at least on three different occasions, then please hurry up the case. I want to know the truth and nothing but the truth.
K Grech
Feb 21st, 18:03
says someone who's leader has scrapped and forgotten much of the 2008 electoral promises. the same leader who took 500 while he stater for several times that there was a financial storm over europe. And the minister whom libel is being filed against, is one who's name is a main one in the oil scandal, costing probably unimaginable extra millions to the taxpayers, that is credibilidy
Ray Abela
Feb 21st, 18:23
I want to know the truth and nothing but the truth.
Angela that you shall have in due course! And believe me when you hear you would have wished that you had ever made such a statement!
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Feb 21st, 13:28
Can we know who was privy to the IT audit’s information, then?
JC.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 21st, 18:04
Wait and see. It was a private matter, so really its none of your business. So you are free to make all conjectures, ask all the questions you like. Its another opportunity for mud slinging organised for you by the PN. Enjoy.
Ray Abela
Feb 21st, 18:26
Perhaps you should ask the Farrugias. Failing that why don't you try asking the Attorney General. You never know he may oblige! Hallina JC!
Anton Zammit
Feb 21st, 13:12
X'nibzghaw f'daqqa wahda.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 21st, 18:05
Its not a matter of fear. Its a matter of punishing someone who makes wild allegations just to win votes for his party. I think its Gatt who should be afraid because his claims of a frame up have already been shown to be ridiculous. In fact, has the PN mentioned frame up since then? NO.
Ray Abela
Feb 21st, 18:24
You may, WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT!
Denis Pace
Feb 22nd, 08:43
Dik qabel kull elezzjoni.......
Please choose the reason of your report below: