Nationalist Party leadership contender Adrian Delia this morning filed a libel suit against blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, saying that she is “journalistically dishonest” in an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
The libel suit comes hours after the blogger posted online that Delia has money deposited abroad, a claim that Delia denied immediately in a statement issued in the early hours of this morning.
He said that the only money he has is in Maltese jurisdiction and that he has no money in Barclays Bank or any other foreign bank as DCG is alleging.
At 1am this morning, Delia requested the court registry open urgently to allow him to file his libel case. However, at 5am, Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia turned down the request. The application was filed later this morning, during regular opening hours.
Addressing the media in front of the law courts later, Delia said that Daphne Caruana Galizia is one again trying to lead the Nationalist Party agenda.
“I do not have and will never have a personal bank account abroad,” he said, adding that any accounts uncovered by the blogger may belong to his clients, which is not illegal.
“It is not acceptable to have this kind of attack (against me) in the middle of an election campaign (for PN leadership)”, he said.
These articles are intended “to tarnish my credibility”, Delia said, adding that this style of politics is creating more division.
He said that DCG has been untruthful on a number of allegations that she has made about him, including that he has a debt amounting to €7 million.
“Who is behind (Daphne’s) writing?” Delia asked.
When asked about the documents published by blogger Caruana Galizia, Delia challenged her to present them in court. "Let her bring these documents here, now. Let's see if these are authentic."
Last night's "story is nothing more than the latest of lies the blogger wrote against me. This is not the style of politics I want to practice."
He said that as it appears, his "new way" of doing politics is not going down well with those who do not want to start a fresh page in the PN.
"I am filing this libel not for damages, but for the truth to come out," he added.
When pressed to state whether he believes the allegations by DCG during the latest election campaign, including the allegations on the secret companies offshore, Delia said that "believing" is for religion. I base myself on facts".
"I am not afraid of such attacks. They only make me stronger," he said.
He said that ever since these "attacks" on him started, he started to receive several messages of support.
The libel was filed by lawyer Arthur Azzopardi.
Video/Photos: Baskal Mallia
Watch the full press conference below: