Former Sea Malta chairman Marlene Mizzi categorically denied yesterday ever squandering public funds when she was at the helm of the national shipping line.

Ms Mizzi was testifying in the libel suit she filed against Investments and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt over allegations he made in an interview published in The Times on 1 July.

Testifying before magistrate Michael Mallia, Mrs Mizzi said she felt that the minister’s comment that she had squandered public funds was defamatory. The article was entitled No prospects for the national shipping line.

Dr Gatt was replying to question put to him by journalist Steve Mallia. In one of the questions, Mr Mallia asked Dr Gatt whether he thought Mrs Mizzi had squandered public funds when she was at the helm of Sea Malta. Mrs Mizzi said that the journalist’s question must have been prompted by a comment passed by Dr Gatt in parliament.

Mrs Mizzi told the court that she had not been able to take action against Dr Gatt before because what he said was said in parliament, and was covered by privilege, so she invited him to repeat his claims outside parliament, which he did.

The former company chairman said the interview made it seem as if she had really squandered public funds, adding that this was a very serious allegation because she occupies a number of other posts and her reputation was at stake.

She said she had resigned from the chairmanship of Sea Malta in July 2005 and the Sea Malta annual report of her last year as chairman showed a profit of Lm250,000.

Ms Mizzi said Dr Gatt had access to the company’s financial statements and during her chairmanship he had never drawn her attention to any wrongdoing.

The case continues.

Dr Toni Abela appeared for Mrs Mizzi while Dr Joe Zammit Maemple.