Minister claims Caruana Galizia blog ‘preceded by attacks from Simon Busuttil’

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi has categorically denied allegations put forward by Malta Independent columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia who claimed that Mizzi and his wife were divorcing.

The blogger also claimed that Mizzi was having an extra-marital affair.

Konrad Mizzi and wife, Sai, and the communications coordinator within the ministry for the energy, Lindsey Gambin, have filed for libel. The Mizzis also filed a criminal complaint with the Police.

“All allegations are false and in this respect it is important to clearly state the facts and dispel all lies,” Mizzi said in a statement issued by the Department of Information.

Mizzi said that his marriage was “as strong as ever and is characterized by trust. The suggestion of divorce is absurd.”

Mizzi denied that he had been seeing Gambin in a relationship, as alleged by Caruana Galizia, and “explicit details given in the blog are false, outrageous and irresponsible”.

Moreover, Gambin did not join the minister on the trip to China last month as alleged by the columnist.

The minister pointed out that Sai Mizzi Liang’s contract of employment was tabled in parliament.

“The above facts are backed by strong and categorical evidence which will be submitted in court,” Mizzi said. “[All three parties] will relish the opportunity to present the facts in court.”

The Ministry for the Energy also claimed that the latest attack on Mizzi was preceded by other attacks by the Nationalist Party led by Simon Busuttil, which he said were "also based on lies... The Minister's focus remains on delivery.”