Former In-Nazzjon editor Nathaniel Attard today was ordered to pay €3,000 in libel damages to former Labour Minister Leo Brincat, now Malta’s representative on the European Court of Auditors.

On 26 November, 2014, the newspaper had published an article entitled 'Nefaq €1 miljun fuq titjiriet f'19-il xahar', a report on the public funds allegedly spent by the then minister on work-related travel.

In his ruling, Magistrate Francesco Depasquale said that between 20 March, 2013 and 5 November, 2014 the minister had gone abroad on 21 occasions for a total expense of €143,360, with flight expenses reaching €82,140.

These expenses had been the subject of a parliamentary question tabled by Claudette Buttigieg on 4 November, 2014, a few days before the publication of the article.

The court ruled that Mr Attard's argument based on the notion of fair comment and value judgment was not supported by 'facts.'

"The right to freedom of expression is no licence to tarnish the reputation of someone else," the court concluded.

Lawyer Aaron Mifsud Bonnici represented Mr Brincat.

Lawyer Peter Fenech appeared for Mr Attard.