(Adds PL's, PN's statements)

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has filed libel suits against It-Torca, l-Orizzont, One television and One Radio.

He said that articles in the GWU newspapers and features on the Labour party's television and radio linking him to Joe Gaffarena were a lie from beginning to end.

“I am proud to have said no to Mr Gaffarena personally when I met him before the election, at his own request, and he asked for a permit for his illegal petrol station to be issued.

"This is proof that I not only believe, but also live, honest politics."

Dr Busuttil said that it was because the Nationalist Party said no to Mr Gaffarena that the latter turned to the Labour Party, which gave him whatever he asked for.

PL STATEMENT

In a statement, the Labour Party said that while on Sunday morning the Opposition leader spent half an hour insulting everyone, he failed to take two minutes to explain what happened during his meeting with Mr Gaffarena or to deny it took place.

Today he filed libel suits without explaining what took place in the meeting in spite of there being two different versions of events - what he and what someone else was saying.

The case reminded one of how Dr Busuttil had initially denied meeting the whistleblower in the case of Giovanna Debono’s husband.

But then the whistleblower said that he met Dr Busuttil at the PN headquarters and instead of sending him to the police Dr Busuttil told him he should not have continued with the work if he knew the PN were losing the election.

People who sling mud, the PL said, ended with egg on their face.

PN'S REPLY

In a reply, the Nationalist Party said it would be better for the Labour government to take action on the scandals which had shocked the country.

Dr Busuttil, it said, filed the libel suits because he had nothing to hide and for the truth to come out.