The libel suit was filed by Labour Leader Alfred Sant, deputy leaders Charles Mangion and Michael Falzon, MLP president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and MLP secretary general Jason Micallef.

The suit was filed against news editor Mario Xuereb and editors Louiselle Vassallo and Alex Attard over articles that appeared on the internet portal www.maltarightnow.com, daily newspaper In-Nazzjon and news bulletins broadcast on Net Television.

Speaking to journalists outside court soon after filing the libel suit, MLP secretary general Jason Micallef said the libel suit was filed against all the PN media over what he said were false allegations surrounding the events at the General Workers’ Union.

Mr Micallef said the party believes the articles that appeared on www.maltarightnow.com on 4 and 9 August, articles that appeared on In-Nazzjon on 5 and 10 August and the news bulletin on Net News on 9 August were libellous and defamatory. He called on the court to declare that the same articles and new bulletin were aimed at tarnishing the MLP’s reputation.

The libel suit was signed by Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi and Dr Edward Zammit Lewis.

Replying to questions on the situation within the GWU, Mr Micallef said the MLP will not stoop so low and comment on what is happening within an autonomous institution such as the GWU.

“Instead of gossiping on people, the Nationalist Party had better put pressure on (Tourism Minister) Francis Zammit Dimech to see how Malta can solve all its problems in the tourism industry,” he said.