The chief of staff at the Office of the Prime Minister, Keith Schembri, has filed a libel suit against the Nationalist Party’s media following an article in today’s In-Nazzjon.

In its article, In-Nazzjon said that Ryan Schembri, the former co-owner of More supermarkets who left Malta owing millions to several creditors, had been in telephone contact with a person assuring him that he and his family weresafe.

In its report, In-Nazzjon said (Keith) Schembri, (Ryan) Schembri’s cousin knew about the latter’s contacts, the two trusted each other and shared business contacts.

In a statement, the government said the allegations were false as Mr Schembri never had any commercial connection to his cousin. The implication that he had contacted him was also false, he said.

The government said the Opposition’s character assassination strategy through its media had reached its lowest levels.