Edward Zammit Lewis has defended himself amidst calls for his resignation over ties to alleged Daphne Caruana Galizia murder mastermind Yorgen Fenech, saying that nothing new had been revealed in stories published over the weekend.

Reports by MaltaToday and the Times of Malta on Sunday shared details about the Whatsapp chats between the businessman and the now Justice Minister – with one report showing how Zammit Lewis referred to Labour voters as ‘Ġaħan’ (fools) and another showing how Zammit Lewis had spoken with Fenech soon after he addressed a PL press conference ridiculing then PN leader Simon Busuttil’s attempts to get the 17 Black company – which belongs to Fenech – investigated.

However, speaking outside Castille on Monday, Zammit Lewis said that the comment had to be taken in the context it was said – and he remained unrepentant when confronted by journalists.

On his “Ġaħan Laburist” remark, Zammit Lewis said that this was in relation to how the electoral system needed to improve to encourage the politics of service.

“I have been a Labourite since I was in my mother’s womb, I worked and sacrificed my profession and my family, and Labourites know this,” he said after being asked whether he would apologise – an apology which was not forthcoming.

He insisted that his position in Cabinet is still tenable as nothing new had been revealed in his relationship with Fenech.

“Nothing new was revealed over the weekend, I always declared that I knew Yorgen Fenech, and Bernard Grech, instead of filing a motion, should take a look around him and see which of his MPs were close to Yorgen Fenech,” Zammit Lewis said.

He said that he had changed the country’s institutions so that more prosecutions could be made, and always carried out his job with integrity.

The PN has since filed a motion of no confidence in Zammit Lewis, declaring his position to be untenable.