Former Malta Centre for Restoration (MCR) chairman, Dr Joe Cannataci has filed for libel against Labour leader Alfred Sant.

In a writ presented this morning in the Magistrates’ Court, Dr Cannataci is requesting that the court condemn Dr Sant to pay damages to be determined by the court in reparation of defamatory libel he

suffered when the Labour Leader made a public speech at Tarxien on 10 July 2005.

Dr Cannataci accused Dr Sant of making defamatory libellous allegations, specifically that during Dr Cannataci’s tenure of office as MCR chairman, a) funds specifically granted by the European Union for restoration work to be carried out in Malta were instead spent on salaries, allowances travel and luxury hotels; b) that several questions are being posed in Brussels as to what became of such funds and c) inquiries have been carried out by the Maltese Government about such abuses and that the Government is refusing to publish these inquiries about Dr Cannataci’s actions.

This libel suit follows strenuous denials over the past two weeks by both Dr Cannataci and Minister Francis Zammit Dimech that any such funds were ever received or misallocated, that any such questions were being raised in Brussels and that any inquiries had ever been ordered, carried out or had their publication refused. Dr Joseph Zammit Maempel appeared for the complainant.