Stefano Mallia files for libel

Nationalist candidate Stefano Mallia has filed a libel suit against the editor of Labour Party organ KullHadd, over a front-page report alleging that the MEP candidate was paid €25,000 for a month’s contract for the resources ministry, back in 2012.

Mallia claimed the report, entitled ‘€1,000 daily’ was aimed at defaming him and his family. “Although Joseph Muscat has pledged a positive electoral campaign, the PL media is resorting to mud-slinging. I have turned to the courts so the truth will prevail,” Mallia said.

According to KullHadd, Mallia was paid €25,000 for 25 days’ work on a contract given to him in July 2012, to draft the rural development programme for 2014-2020. The €147,925 consultancy was given to the University of Gloucestershire, which in turn would have appointed Mallia as a local expert.