Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi has denied ever having a relationship, other than a professional one, with Lindsey Gambin.

He was testifying in his libel suit against blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who alleged that the two were having an affair. He said that Lindsey Gambin handles policy development, communications and implementation of projects for the Ministry.

"I'm in politics. I can take criticism however in this case I believe the line was crossed," he testified, adding that he felt it was a personal attack against him and his family. "The post was based on a whole lie".

"There is not, and there never has been any relationship, other than a professional one, between Lindsey Gambin and myself".

Dr Mizzi said that in the post, Daphne Caruana Galizia stated that after becoming minister, he left his home and went to live alone in Sliema. "In reality the Sliema house is one my wife and I bought together".

"Daphne said that the relationship between Lindsey and myself was an open secret. This is absolutely not true, there is no open secret". He went on to again deny any personal relationship between himself and Lindsey Gambin.

Dr Mizzi added that Mrs Caruana Galizia's allegations of seeing the minister in an intimate embrace with Lindsey Gambin, kissing, in the Tiffany Champaign and Cigar room in Portomaso was a "total lie beyond imagination".

"I was not, and have never kissed Lindsey Gambin". He also stated that no intimate embrace took place.

Dr Mizzi said that Mrs Caruana Galizia alleged the incident took place the Saturday prior to the post's publication, however the minister denied being there on that day.

"There were occasions where Lindsey and I would go out for business meetings and there was an occasion when we went to the Tiffany Cigar room with some foreigners". He added that this was not on the day Mrs Caruana Galizia alleged.

Referring to another paragraph in the post alleging that Lindsey Gambin accompanied him to Beijing, the minister said that she never accompanied the delegation to Beijing.

Turning to his relationship with Sai Mizzi, his wife, he said "we are happy. The fact that she is in another country does not mean the relationship isn't strong. We meet often and have two children together".

He said that allegations stating that their marriage broke down due to a relationship with Lindsey Gambin were all lies.

Turning to the blogpost's statement that Sai Mizzi's contract needs to be published, Dr Mizzi said that her contract was tabled in Parliament before the post was made.

He alleged that the blog post caused a lot of damage on both a personal and professional level. On  personal level he argued that he does not want his wife to have any doubts as to his fidelity.

"As a minister I have a reputation to uphold". Dr Mizzi also said that as a politician, he is elected and that such allegations could affect future elections.

Turning to his working life, he said that when working with Lindsey he shouldn't be put in a position where other people are thinking certain things about them.

Dr Aaron Mifsud Bonnici is appearing for Minister Konrad Mizzi and Dr Joseph Zammit Maempel for Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Minister categorically denies 'being close' with Louis Attard

Minister Konrad Mizzi has another libel case at the moment, against Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil and PN MP George Pullicino, regarding allegations that he is 'close' with Louis Attard, accused over the Smart metre tampering scandal.

Minister Mizzi denied meddling with the investigation. "Louis Attard is not someone I appointed. He does not come from my district. I found him there," the minister argued.

Dr Mizzi added that the promotions and allowances given to Mr Attard occurred under the previous government.

"I am categorically denying that I helped Louis Attard". He added that he never interfered with the case and never spoke to the police about it.

Dr Aaron Mifsud Bonnici is appearing for Minister Konrad Mizzi.

Both cases are being heard by Magistrate Francesco Depasquale.