Update 2 | Mizzi files civil libel suit, criminal complaint against Caruana Galizia

Energy and health minister Konrad Mizzi and his wife Sai this afternoon filed for libel against Malta Independent columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia over an article in which she alleged that Mizzi was having an extra-marital affair with his communications coordinator.

Mizzi's communications coordiantor, Lindsey Gambin, also filed for civil libel.

Mizzi, through lawyers Edward Gatt and Aron Mifsud Bonnici, also filed a complaint with the police.

In the blogpost entitled “This is the Super One journalist Konrad Mizzi has been seeing, and the reason his wife left for China,” Caruana Galizia alleged that the energy minister was seeing former One journalist Lindsey Gambin.

The article further alleges Mizzi’s marriage with his wife “broke down in the context of his relationship with Super One journalist Lindsey Gambin.”

The blogger claimed that the “relationship” was an open secret among politicians, and that on Saturday the energy minister and Gambin “were seen in an intimate embrace and kissing each other” at the Hilton.

Moreover, it was also alleged that on Thursday night, the energy minister and Gambin – the minister’s communications coordinator – came off a flight together.

In his application, Konrad Mizzi insisted that the article was “libellous and defamatory.” The energy minister also argued that Caruana Galizia’s article was “untrue” and intent on tarnishing his reputation.

Mizzi is requesting a maximum compensation of €11,650.

Lawyers Abigial Critien and Aaron Mifsud Bonnici signed the  civil libel.