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Libel case reaffirms divide between Sant and Mintoff

On Friday, MLP deputy leader Joe Brincat told the Court, that he never wrote that former Prime Minister, Dom Mintoff voted against the Malta Labour Party because of his interest in the Gharix. The conflicting remarks in the libel case defeats all rumours that the political divide between Alfred Sant and Mintoff are things of the past.

Mintoff is suing Dr Brincat and It-Torca Editor, Alfred Briffa for damages over an article published on December 29 1998, entitled X`Sena, claiming that the article tried to denigrate him personally and professionally by implying that he had acted irresponsibly, as a Member of Parliament.

But Dr Brincat, yesterday, denied the claim, adding it was Lino Cassar who wrote such things in the newspaper. The suit is being treated with urgency due to the plaintiff’s advanced age, causing Dr Brincat to tell the court that although Mintoff had aged he had not changed his habits or his tactics and he even expected his case to be treated preferentially.

Dr Brincat added that, while facts were sacred, comment was free and Mintoff could not expect people not to have their opinions about him, even if these were unfavorable.

While on the witness stand, the former Prime Minister spoke at length about his involvement with the Labour Party, and the way he brought about the same party’s downfall. But Mintoff also said that l-Gharix was never in the picture and that his actions were related solely to Labour values.

Mintoff also criticised Dr Brincat for trying to interfere in the mediation process even though at the time he did not form part of the Labour Party and was against Dr Alfred Sant. The former Maltese Premier heavily attacked the Labour Party Deputy Leader, saying the latter was inconsistent and never tried to put things together in the right way when the Labour Party had internal problems. Mintoff also told the court that these kind of writings in the paper were intended to prevent him from reaching a settlement in his other court dispute over compensation for L-Gharix, his villa in Delimara.

In the meantime, negotiations between two government ministers and former Labour Prime Minister, Dom Mintoff, to reach an out-of-court settlement have failed as the final proposal was unacceptable to the government.

Throughout these past months both Environment Minister, Francis Zammit Dimech and Economic Services Minister, Josef Bonnici had meetings with Mr Mintoff at the latter’s private residence in Tarxien in an attempt to reach an agreement acceptable to all the parties involved. Labour MP John Attard Montalto, a personal friend and also legal adviser of Mr Mintoff was sometimes present, sources told the MaltaToday.

The dispute appeared to be settled after Mintoff was offered the opportunity to convert the former Deutsche Welle radio station at Delimara for residential use. But the project failed to get the Planning Authority’s approval.

The PA had also turned down a formal application for land at Fawwara for the same purpose. In May 1998, Mintoff had struck a deal with the former Labour government that included development of land in Fawwara (valued at Lm230,000) together with financial compensation of Lm128,000 and Lm4,950 for structural damage, caused by the construction of the Delimara power station.

A court had found that Mr Mintoff`s site had suffered irreversible ecological damage and its outstanding natural beauty was totally and irreversibly ruined by the construction.

The issue has now been referred back to court. Architect David Pace, who has been appointed technical expert, is expected to appear in court, in the coming weeks.

A court had ruled that Mr Mintoff`s fundamental human rights had been violated when the power station was built close to his residence.