A blog post by Daphne Caruana Galizia claiming a relationship between Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and his communications coordinator Lindsey Gambin was based on “a number of lies”, according to a government statement last night.

Explicit details given in the blog post were “false, outrageous and irresponsible” and preceded by other attacks by Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil, the government said.

The statement listed a string of “facts” necessary to expose the false allegations. It maintained that the marriage between Dr Mizzi and his wife Sai Mizzi Lang, who resides in China, was not on the rocks.

The marriage between minister Konrad Mizzi and Ms Sai Mizzi Lang is as strong as ever

“The marriage between minister Konrad Mizzi and Ms Sai Mizzi Lang is as strong as ever and is characterised by trust. Explicit details given in the blog are false, outrageous and irresponsible,” the government said.

Ms Caruana Galizia had claimed that Dr Mizzi was seen with Ms Gambin in an intimate embrace and kissing each other at the Tiffany Champagne and Cigar Room at Hilton Malta.

She also claimed that Dr Mizzi and his communications coordinator had travelled together to Beijing last month, an accusation the government is denying.

The government also contradicted the columnist’s assertion that the employment contract of Ms Mizzi Liang, Malta Enterprise’s envoy to China, had not been made public, pointing out that it had been tabled in Parliament.

Dr Mizzi, his wife and Ms Gambin have all filed libel proceedings against Ms Caruana Galizia. Evidence of the government statements would be given in court.