OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri said that the article appearing today in Australian Financial Review confirms that journalist Neil Chenoweth “is confusing facts”.

In a statement, Mr Schembri said that “today’s publication gives comfort to Mr. Schembri as it confirms what has been evident all along – that Mr. Chenoweth  is confusing facts, making false links between unrelated events and contriving a scenario to try to give colour to his mistaken claims.

“Finally Mr. Neil Chenoweth has released excerpts of documentation he is basing his story upon. The documentation released, confirms beyond doubt that Mr. Chenoweth is erroneously attributing communication between Nexia BT and Mossack Fonseca to Mr. Schembri. Mr. Neil Chenoweth seems to believe that Nexia BT only have two clients.”

There have been calls for Mr Schembri’s resignation – as well as that of Minister Konrad Mizzi – after both admitted to having opened companies in Panama.

In a separate statement, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said that the article contained various email communications falsely attributed to Dr Konrad Mizzi when they clearly pertain to other clients of Nexia BT.

Dr Mizzi also noted that the story was uploaded at what is certainly not prime time in Australia.