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Foreign Minister Michael Frendo announced yesterday he was suing Labour leader Alfred Sant for libel for claiming that the minister sold and distributed pirated Eurovision CDs, pledging he would donate any money he might win in court for the promotion of Maltese artistic talent.
Last Sunday, Sant alleged while speaking at the Qormi Labour club that it was the minister himself who sold and distributed pirated CDs – a claim strongly rebutted by the minister even though copied CDs were actually distributed during a social evening organised in his name on the night of the Eurovision.
The minister insisted that he was not aware of the fact that his aides were distributing pirated CDs and said it was he who asked the Police Commissioner to investigate the matter.
Condemning CD piracy and every breach of copyright laws, Frendo said Sant was spreading slanderous lies about him.
On the other hand, the minister said he agreed with Labour MP Leo Brincat’s statement that it was in the public interest to conclude the investigation as early as possible, and make its outcome public.
“On the basis of the results of police investigations into this case, every action deemed necessary will be taken,” the minister said. “In the meantime, everyone should respect the fact that police investigations are still ongoing.”
Since the news about the pirated CDs emerged, Frendo has suspended ministry worker Simon Castillo, who works at the foreign affairs private secretariat.
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