Labour candidate defiant over energy theft libel

Labour candidate for MEP Charlon Gouder has kicked off his campaign with a bang, having attracted a defamation suit from Nationalist MP Tonio Fenech over allegations that some 665 cases of energy theft that were not thoroughly investigated by Enemalta.

Gouder has insisted that Fenech, the former finance minister, was aware of hundreds of cases of energy theft from Enemalta but did not follow-up the investigations.

"Nobody is going to intimidate me or stop me from exposing the shortcomings and irregularities that took place under a Nationalist administration, with the smart meters' case being one of them," Gouder, a former One News journalist, said.

"The PN enjoys using defamation suits as a way of stopping Labour activists from saying it as it is. I've grown accustomed to it in my time as a journalist - I was warned to emigrate from the island by Nationalists," Gouder said.

Gouder insisted that Fenech had to shoulder his responsibility for the "scandal" of over 665 files related to energy theft that were allegedly hidden away at Enemalta head offices.

"The work of this government in its first year, when it comes to political accountability and transparency, such as the introduction of the Whistleblower Act, is bearing fruit. It is only a pity that the PN was never interested in enacting similar legislation and instead wasted this country's time.

"Fenech cannot stay silent on these allegations, and the PN cannot hide its shadow minister, who was once politically responsible for Enemalta. Intimidating me with libel will not stop Labour from exposing the former government's maladministration."