WSC officials file for libel

Three Water Services officials today filed a libel suit against David Lindsay as editor of The Malta Independent on Sunday, following an article that questioned whether taxpayers' money was used to pay for the official’s visit to the Singapore Gran Prix held in September last year.

Water Services CEO Frederick Azzopardi, Chief Officer Robert Schembri and Manager Stefan Riolo argued that the article printed on yesterday’s edition and entitled ‘Government silent on WSC CEO’s Singapore GP visit’, is libellous and defamatory.

The article, written by journalist Neil Camilleri, claimed that the government had failed to explain who paid for an extra three-night stay in Singapore and tickets for the Gran Prix for the three WSC officials.

Back in July  2013, Azzopardi, Schembri and Riolo were invited to Singapore for the International Water Week Utilities Forum, but the CEO’s PA allegedly requested that the three extend their stay to attend the Gran Prix. The newspaper also said that questions forwarded to the Ministry remained unanswered.

In their libel suit, CEO Frederick Azzopardi, Chief Officer Robert Schembri and Manager Stefan Riolo said that the aim of the article was to attack their reputation and slander their names.

Dr Aaron Mifsud Bonnici signed the suit.