Water Services Corporation chairman Michael Falzon filed a judicial protest yesterday against Labour whip Joe Mizzi and the editor of The Times Ray Bugeja, in which he claimed that an article written by Mr Mizzi was defamatory and might cause public alarm.

In the protest, Mr Falzon claimed that an article by Mr Mizzi, that was published in The Times on 26 June, damaged his reputation and was offensive and defamatory.

It was claimed that Mr Mizzi’s article put Mr Falzon, in his role as chairman of the Water Services Corporation, in a bad light, especially when it was alleged that he was shirking his duties by not taking any notice of the quality of local tap water.

Furthermore, Mr Falzon added, Mr Mizzi had also spread false information that could cause public alarm.

In the protest, Mr Falzon pointed out that the editor of The Times, Mr Bugeja, was responsible for the publication of the article.

He also claimed that both Mr Mizzi and Mr Bugeja tarnished his reputation.

Dr Charisse Ellul and Dr John Gauci signed the protest.