I write on behalf of Reginald Fava for and on behalf of Chemimart Limited and refer to the article written by Francesca Vella in Thursday’s issue of The Malta Independent and the caption of the said article ‘Chemimart owner given €200,000 and a shop’ and inform you that Mr Fava denies categorically that he has received or that he shall be receiving €200,000 in compensation for him having to move out from Freedom Square because of the City Gate Project. It was only on 1 April, 2010 that Mr Fava was offered acceptable premises for the relocation of his pharmacy which premises are in dire need of refurbishment for the relocation of the pharmacy.

Mr Fava demands that in the next issue of the Malta Independent you immediately publish his denial of ever having accepted or ever will accept monetary compensation for such relocation and this with the same prominence that you have given the article of Ms Vella. Kindly publish his statement of denial of ever receiving money and the untruth as reported by Mario Debono of the GRTU Pharmacy Owners Association.

Mr Fava reserves his right at law against Mr Debono, Ms Vella and against your newspaper to sue for defamation for publishing untruths according to law.

One does not understand how an investigative journalist should publish an article in a newspaper without verifying and cross checking the facts. This is totally unacceptable in a democratic and civil society and one expects a higher level of reporting from your newspaper.

Edward DeBono LL.D.