Economy, Investment and Small Business Minister Chris Cardona today categorically denied allegations published in the blog of Daphne Caruana Galizia on his whereabouts during an official Government visit in Germany, in what is a prime example of fake news.

Dr Cardona has issued another press release stating that in view of Mrs Caruana Galizia's refusal to accept his categorical denial, he has no other choice but to file for libel proceedings.

The statement in full: "In light of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s perseverance in the spreading of lies and fictitious reports on Minister Cardona, despite the categorical denial that was published earlier today, the Minister has no choice but to institute legal proceedings against the blogger."

Earlier, he issued a press release saying: 

“This outright lie is another attempt on Caruana Galizia’s part to discredit and sully an individual’s reputation,” a statement by the ministry said.

This has not been the first incident where Minister Cardona has been the target of this blogger’s writing. However, as he has done previously, the Minister will continue to fulfil his role in attracting investment, strengthening the current economic climate, and creating more job opportunities, the statement said.

Minister Cardona is currently in Germany to participate in the first Stake Holder Forum on the Digitisation of European Industry, as a speaker on the invitation of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs.

In her blog, uploaded yesterday evening, Daphne Caruana Galizia wrote that “Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Chris Cardona, is currently at a brothel in the German town of Velbert, near Düsseldorf. He is accompanied by another Maltese man, described as “short and bald”.