A excessive rating MCAST official on paid particular depart for the previous three years is suing Malta Right this moment for libel after being focused by two articles based mostly upon “completely unfounded and untruthful assertions” in her regard. 

Josephine Abdilla, former head of human sources on the faculty, filed a defamation swimsuit towards Matthew Vella, as govt editor of Malta Right this moment and the writer of each tales printed each on-line and in print earlier in August. 

The primary article, on August 8, was titled “Whistleblowers pressured to pick favoured MCAST lecturers”. The second, printed every week later, was “Bribery allegation was ‘joke’ but former MCAST govt should still be on payroll”.

A proper of reply by Abdilla’s lawyer, Andrew Borg Cardona, was printed by the media home following the publication of the primary article. 

The previous MCAST official has now taken her grievances to courtroom, claiming that these tales pivoted upon “completely unfounded and untruthful assertions” that have been meant solely to tarnish her fame.

The applicant’s legal professionals are claiming that such “severe inaccuracies” and “malicious fabrications” amounted to “deliberate character assassination” and have been requesting the courtroom to declare each articles defamatory in Abdilla’s regard and to liquidate damages payable by the respondent. 

Malta Right this moment claimed to have relied on a report by a board of inquiry arrange by the Ministry of Schooling, but Abdilla “has by no means been given a replica” of these conclusions which seem to not have been printed, her legal professionals stated in a public assertion following upon the submitting of the libel swimsuit. 

Furthermore, the previous HR head was nonetheless suspended on full pay, stated her legal professionals, additional highlighting the truth that the writer of the articles cited “unnamed sources”.

Given the scarce particulars, the applicant couldn’t totally rebut all allegations which might, nonetheless, be tackled in-depth earlier than the courts. 

Legal professionals Andrew Borg Cardona and Matthew Cutajar signed the appliance.