A man who gave a speech during an anti-immigration protest seven years ago has been cleared of inciting racial hatred.

Paul Salomone, an official of the Republican National Alliance (ANR), was charged by the police after he delivered a speech during the protest organised by the ANR in Valletta on June 8, 2006.

His speech included statements such as: “Illegal immigrants, those who come by sea or with a travellers’ visa, take the jobs of Maltese and eat and sleep to the detriment of the Maltese population.”

In another of several quotes highlighted by police, he said: “How can you not feel anything when you see that our soldiers and police officers have become babysitters of these immigrants?”

Mr Salomone argued in court that his speech was based on facts and aimed at politicians.

In fact, he added, he never pointed fingers at any particular race or skin colour and made it clear he was speaking about all kinds of migrants.

After examining the speech in full, Magistrate Giovanni Grixti said his words had to be taken in their full context.

Mr Salomone spoke against violence and stressed the importance of the truth.

Therefore one could not conclude that he was inciting racial hatred through his words.

Lawyers Michael Sciriha and Michael Tanti-Dougall represented Mr Salomone.

Police Inspectors Dominic Micallef and Mary Muscat prosecuted.