The General Workers Union (GWU) deputy secretary general Geitu Mercieca lost a libel case which he had initiated against journalist Natalino Fenech who wrote that Mr Mercieca had been stubborn during the negotiations regarding the sale of Sea Malta.

In handing down his judgement, Magistrate Michael Mallia explained that given how the Sea Malta negotiations were carried and after analysing how the matter was resolved, he felt that the journalist’s comments were fair.

Mr Mercieca had sued the journalist as he felt defamed and insulted by an article penned by Dr Fenech published on 4 December 2005 issue of The Sunday Times entitled Sea Malta employees expect GWU to pay.