Updated, Adds Chris Cardona reaction and PN reply - PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami this afternoon invited Economy Minister Chris Cardona to hold a press conference and reply to allegations being made against him.

Dr Fenech Adami said serious allegations are being made that Dr Cardona is living in a Portomaso flat owned by a businessman for free and that he and his staff regularly frequented a shady bar in Valletta, The Stable, during working hours.

Yesterday, Dr Cardona denied the allegations and published a contract of rent for a one bedroom flat of less than 100 square metres in Portomaso for which he paid rent of €1,400 per month. The 10-month contract came into force on December 1, 2014.

Dr Fenech Adami said that this contract was not credible as it included various special clauses, including that the minister pay his dues once the contract was terminated.

"This contract continues to raise more questions than provide answers," Dr Fenech Adami said.

He called on the Prime Minister to come clean and deny that one of his ministers was spending his time in bars with his staff.

Dr Fenech Adami said that ethics and transparency obliged the Prime Minister to keep check on Cabinet members.

In a reaction, the Ministry for Economic Affairs said Dr Fenech Adami had repeated allegations made by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia which were denied yesterday, and had tried to instill new doubts.

The ministry said the allegations had been denied and the contract was published, This, it said, had killed any senseless speculation. 

The ministry said the Opposition had 'formalised' its association with Ms Caruana Galizia.

The minister, however, was focused on his ministerial work which had led to the fastest economic growth rate in the eurozone.

In a reply, the Nationalist Party said Dr Cardona in his reaction had not explained anything.

"Chris Cardona's silence is confirmation that what was alleged is the truth," the party said.

The party also noted that the prime minister in parliament yesterday had defended the minister, despite the 'extremely serious allegations' made against him.

"Now that Dr Cardona has not replied to a single question raised about the contract he presented, Dr Muscat should declare whether he will continue to defend Dr Cardona or whether he will take action against him," the PN said.