An electoral campaign billboard showing Dr Muscat holding an ice cube and saying that the minimum wage would be frozen was not defamatory, was based on facts that were substantially true and was expressing freedom of thought on which society and democracy should be based, a court ruled today.

The case was instituted after the PN produced a billboard in 2012 showing Dr Muscat holding an ice cube and saying that the minimum wage would be frozen.

Dr Muscat argued in court the fact that he had not made such a declaration was proven and cost of living increases had been given.

He said that as a politician he tolerated criticism, but the PN had attributed to him remarks which he had never made.

However, the court, presided by Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, ruled that Dr Muscat had at the time clearly stated that the priority was to reduce water and electricity bills and not increase the minimum wage.

Concern had been expressed by, among others, unions and Alternattiva Demokratika.

The message, the court ruled, was that the minimum wage was to remain the same and this had elicited different reactions.

The PN’s reaction was to produce the billboard saying that the minimum wage would be frozen and this led to Dr Muscat’s libel proceedings.

The court ruled that it should protect one’s right to make a political comment in line with one’s freedom of expression as it was a reflection of a democratic society open to debate in the best interest of the people.

This was particularly so during an electoral campaign.

Although the word “frozen” had not actually been used, Dr Muscat had said that the minimum wage it would not be increased.