The Medical Council said today that it stood by its decision to fine Dr Frank Portelli, CEO of St Philip Hospital, €10,000 and it would not enter into any debate on the issue

Dr Portelli was fined after making defamatory allegations about Dr Louis Buhagiar, who occasionally worked at the hospital.

In in a statement yesterday, Dr Portelli said the council had no authority to fine him because a letter he had written to Dr Buhagiar was in his capacity as hospital CEO. The Medical Council had no legal authority to decide on any action by a CEO of a private hospital, Dr Portelli argued. He called on the council to withdraw its decision and warned the members of the council that he held them personally responsible for damages.

The council in imposing the fine last week had also warned Dr Portelli that unless he paid up by October 1, he would be struck off the Medical Register.

In its statement today the council said that while condemning the threats made in respect of its members, it reiterated that all members performed their job with integrity and honesty.

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