Updated: Nightclub owner claims he was slandered by judge in inquiry report

Paceville nightclub owner Hugo Chetcuti said in a statement through his lawyer that allegations and comments made by Judge Michael Mallia in an inquiry report published yesterday were slanderous. The inquiry, commissioned by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, looked into the dealings of former Police Inspector Daniel Zammit, his brother Roderick, a serving inspector, and former acting police commissioner Ray Zammit. The inquiry raised several concerns over the the Zammit’s family links to Mr Chetcuti, who Judge Mallia said was of “dubious character”. In a statement signed by lawyer Peter Fenech, (see pdf link below) Mr Chetcuti said he was not part of the inquiry and never testified before the judge. His police conduct report was never requested and there was no allegation about him that merited investigation. The comments made by the judge in his regard, he said, were “baseless, gratuitious and slanderous”. Infringements in his regard, he said, concerned noise and other issues related to the running of a Paceville establishment. He said he was reserving the right to take any other action he deemed fit, including libel proceedings. Daniel Zammit's lawyers Stefano Filletti and Stephen...