From Ms J. Vassallo

With reference to your article “Find the mole” and the editorial “An absent government” (TMIS, 10 June), I wish to clarify the following:

We categorically deny that the “government’s anger and shame… is now focusing” on journalist Karl Stagno Navarra or that there is any search for “the mole”.

Moreover, contrary to what was stated in your article, I never denied calling the UNHCR representative. As I have previously commented to various media, I confirm that I did call the UNHCR Malta representative; however, this was surely not to accuse him of passing inaccurate information to the press.

As regards your editorial “An absent government”, I would like to clarify the following:

This Office has always supported and assisted foreign journalists. Permission to visit the open centre was granted to the French journalist who also requested an interview with Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg. This was in fact held within 24 hours. Hence, what you wrote that the journalist left without any official comments from the government is factually incorrect.

As to the claim that the head of international media in Italy wanted to organise a conference for our Prime Minister while in Rome, with a guaranteed audience of all foreign correspondents, please note that this proposal never reached this Office.

Josephine Vassallo

Communications and Press Secretary

Office of the Prime Minister