Minister’s aide testifies in criminal libel against Caruana Galizia

The spokesperson for energy minister Konrad Mizzi denied allegations of an extramarital affair with her employer, in criminal libel proceedings filed by Mizzi against Malta Independent columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The defendant claimed in her blog in November 2014 that the two were romantically involved, instantly prompting libel suits from Mizzi and his wife Sai Mizzi Liang.

Testifying as a witness, Gambin told a court today that the relationship with the minister was “purely professional.”

In a previous court sitting, Mizzi himself strenuously denied the allegations made on the blog describing them as “a blatant lie, beyond imagination.”

Taking the witness stand Wednesday morning, Gambin referred to a passage in the blog entry which detailed how she had been seen in Mizzi’s arms at the Cigar Room at the Hilton in Malta. “This is not true, especially in those circumstances,” she said.

Cross-examined by Caruana Galizia’s lawyer Joe Zammit Maempel, Gambin clarified that she had been in the Cigar Room with the minister in the context of attending a meeting, however the witness could not recall with whom.

She confirmed that she had gone abroad on business on three occasions – twice accompanying Mizzi “on work visits” and once alone to attend a course.

The case was adjourned to next month. Lawyer Edward Gatt represented Gambin in parte civile.