Brincat testifies in libel case against The Times

Labour Leader Alfred Sant and former deputy leaders Joseph Brincat and George Vella went to the referendum counting hall as representatives of the Labour Party, as was their right to do, Dr Brincat said yesterday.

Dr Brincat yesterday denied that Dr Sant, Dr Vella and himself went to Ta' Qali accompanied by 20 to 30 labour supporters as was alleged in a letter published in The Times.

He took the witness stand before Magistrate Michael Mallia in libel proceedings against the editor of The Times Raymond Bugeja over the publication of a letter entitled "Uphold democracy", published on April 1.

Dr Brincat explained that he arrived at Ta' Qali together with Dr Sant and Dr Vella, in Dr Sant's car, and entered the premises after a soldier let them through.

He described the statement saying they were "accompanied by 20 to 30 persons," as published in the letter, as a "factual lie" and specified that they were only three in the car and there were no other cars driving behind them.

Dr Brincat explained that when they got out of the car they were surrounded by a crowd of journalists and cameramen who rushed them to get their comments.

He said he was hit by one of the cables, not necessarily intentionally, and that apart from the journalists and cameramen, there were agents of both parties.

Dr Brincat said he did not venture past the metal detector but moved to the side to smoke.

At that point journalist Lourdes Pullicino approached him and asked him whether or not he thought that going to the counting hall that day was a provocative gesture. To this, he said, he replied that the referendum did not belong to the Nationalist Party and Dr Sant, Dr Vella and himself had a right to be there as representatives of the MLP.

Dr Sant went into the counting hall and some time later he walked out. The three men left Ta' Qali the way they had arrived, that is, in Dr Sant's car, unaccompanied.

The case continues.