[WATCH] Labour candidates file criminal complaint against Minister Gatt

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo and candidates David Farrugia Sacco and Manuel Mallia have filed a police report for criminal action on defamation against Transport Minister Austin Gatt.

The report was filed today by Bartolo and Farrugia Sacco at around 12:30pm at the Hamrun police station.

Addressing the media after filing their report, the two said that Austin Gatt had accused them of being behind "the frame-up" which saw emails published by The Sunday Times in the Enemalta oil scandal referring to the minister.

Gatt had backed his claim by saying that one of the emails - originally thought by the minister to have been "manipulated" - had been posted on Bartolo's Facebook while lawyers Farrugia Sacco and Mallia had represented the Farrugia brothers in a case instituted against their brother, oil trader George Farrugia.

Questioned by the media whether he knew who had carried out the IT audit, Farrugia Sacco reiterated that the IT audit had been appointed by the brothers.

"Yes, I know who carried out the IT audit. But I'm not in a position to say whom given that I obviously need the consent of that same person," he said.