Former Prime Minister, now President, Edward Fenech Adami, was yesterday ordered to pay Labour member of Parliament Chris Cardona Lm1,000 over the allegation that he was in favour of Malta joining the European Union.

The court heard how on 5 April 2003, days before the General Election to confirm or throw out the majority Yes vote in the referendum on Malta’s entry to the EU, Dr Fenech Adami participated in a political debate which was broadcast on Church radio RTK and PBS radio Radju Malta.

During this political debate, Dr Fenech Adami alleged that Dr Cardona was one of the components of the Malta Labour Party who was in favour of Malta joining the European Union and was therefore going against the policies of his own party.

Dr Cardona filed a libel suit in court claiming that Dr Fenech Adami made these allegations to tarnish his reputation and asked the court to grant him damages.

In his judgement, Magistrate Michael Mallia said the comment on which Dr Cardona is complaining was passed on the eve of a General Election which would have determined Malta’s future in or out of the European Union. He ordered Dr Fenech Adami to pay Dr Cardona Lm1,000 in damages.