Former Health Minister Joe Cassar today won libel damages in a case he filed against the Labour Party over a statement it had released three years ago.

The statement was about a decision to annul the appointment of several medical consultants.

On 2 August, 2012 the Public Service Commission had revoked the appointment of a number of medical consultants, and annulled a third call which was still under way, after it transpired that some of the candidates were not eligible.

In its statement the PL had said that one of the applicants was a close relative of a Nationalist minister, as he was the husband of a minister’s daughter (not Dr Cassar).

The court, presided by Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, ruled that Dr Cassar had not been involved in the selection process.The claim made by the PL had not been corroborated and it had harmed Dr Cassar’s reputation.

Though a political party had the right to criticise political opponents, this should always constitute “fair comment”, the magistrate said.

The court found the PL guilty and ordered it to pay Dr Cassar €1,000 in damages.