Labour MP ordered to pay €2,500 in damages to former WSC chairman

Labour MP Joe Mizzi was this morning condemned to pay €2,500 in damages to former Water Services Corporation (WSC) chairman Michael Falzon, for slandering him with an article entitled 'Playing Chairman' published in 'The Times' on April 1, 2004.

In his article, Mizzi had alleged that Falzon was taking his appointment as chairman at WSC as a joke, because his mind focused more on politics rather than his responsibilities at the corportation.

Mizzi also alleged that WSC never took any action over a report compiled by an Italian company in 2000 regarding the quality of water.

The article insinuated taht falzon had attempted to hide or manipulate information in the wake of Malta's accession bid to the European Union.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti ruled that Mizzi failed to substantiate his allegations, and from evidence given by Falzon and other experts from WSC, it transpired that there was no truth in Mizzi's claims.

It found Mizzi guilty of slander and ordered he pays €2,500 in damages to Falzon.