Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi today rejected a request by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil to recuse himself from hearing government appeals following a magistrate's decision to hold a criminal inquiry into the Panama Papers allegations.

Dr Busuttil had called for the recusal because Mizzi is married to Labour Party MEP Marlene Mizzi, who has commented about the cases.

Seven appeals were filed against Magistrate Ian Farrugia's decision to launch an inquiry into whether chief of staff Keith Schembri and minister Konrad Mizzi breached money laundering laws.

The appeals were filed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri, Nexia BT's Brian Tonna and Karl Cini, as well as Malcolm Scerri and Adrian Hillman.

Mr Justice Mizzi ruled the issue involved a criminal inquiry, not a decision, and he personally was never involved in politics and was never a member of any political party. He never associated himself with his wife's political views. 

Dr Busuttil said he will take his case to the Constitutional Court. 

"One day after Chief Justice spoke so clearly, it beggars belief how a judge can preside a case against his own wife's party boss," Busuttil tweeted.