Updated - Adds video - Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said this morning that he did not use his influence for his wife to be appointed envoy of Malta Enterprise, although he had discussed the matter with her.

Sai Mizzi Liang, was appointed investment promotion envoy for Asia without a public call.

On Saturday, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said that in democracies abroad this would be considered scandalous and lead to the minister’s resignation.

Dr Mizzi said he had done nothing wrong.

Dr Mizzi said that while journalists were justified in asking questions about the appointment of his wife by a government entity, he had nothing to do with the engagement as this was a complete initiative of Malta enterprise.

His wife, he said, had been approached for the post by Malta Enterprise and further questions should be directed to the agency.

Asked if he considered it proper that the appointment was made without a public call, Dr Mizzi again directed questions to Malta Enterprise, while likening the appointment to that of an ambassador (which is a position of trust).

“She was approached by Malta Enterprise and decided to go for it,” he said.

Asked whether this meant that this was a political appointment, Dr Mizzi said that he didn’t go into this matter and it was Malta Enterprise which has to reply.