Patrick Dalli has appealed against the planning authority’s refusal to sanction infringements on a controversial Żejtun property in an outside development zone (ODZ) area, saying the decision was conditioned by the media’s political agenda.

The husband of Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli told the Planning Appeals Tribunal he was extremely concerned that Mepa’s decision had been conditioned by media pressure targeting him simply because his wife was involved in politics.

He said the decision was unjust because it was not based on planning laws but on considerations “that are entirely focused on damaging the appellant simply because his wife is actively involved in politics”.

Mr Dalli instituted two separate libel suits against Times of Malta after this newspaper exposed finishing works being carried out on the Żejtun farmhouse that had been served an enforcement notice for infringements. Mr Dalli had breached the conditions of the original permit granted to him by extending the property’s size.

Read more on Times of Malta.