I refer to the item entitled Labour Office Investigating Comments By Julian Galea (March 13).

The Times reported that Mr Galea was the only remaining Nationalist Party candidate who served on the disgraced and dissolved Sliema council.

I feel offended by the word “disgraced” used in the item regarding the outgoing Sliema council. Can The Times explain the term “disgraced” and whether it knows something that we former councillors do not know?

The Sliema council was dissolved for other reasons. Perhaps The Times should not use such words which can be libellous.

Editorial note: The online Oxford dictionary defines the term disgrace used as a noun thus: “Loss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonourable action” and “a person or thing regarded as shameful and unacceptable”. If used as a verb, the definitions it gives are: “Bring shame or discredit on” and “cause (someone) to fall from favour or a position of power or honour”.