The chairman and chief executive officer at the Malta Shipyards yesterday filed two libel suits against Joseph Cala, a foreign businessman who was interested in giving the shipyard company a $10 billion contract to build underwater resorts.

The first libel suit was about a statement Mr Cala released to shareholders which, Mr Cassar White and Mr Bell claimed, was libellous and defamatory in their regard.

The second libel suit was filed about an e-mail being circulated by Mr Cala and which was sent to a number of people including General Workers’ Union officials and members of the press.

Mr Cassar White and Mr Bell alleged that by means of the statement to shareholders published in various media and by means of the e-mail, Mr Cala made allegations and statements in their regard which were defamatory.

They requested the court to award them damages in this regard.

Dr Andrew Borg Cardona signed the two libel suits.