Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg said this morning he was categorically denying claims in a section of the media that he has bought property at a low price from a mentally ill man.

In a statement issued through his secretariat he said it would take legal action against those making the allegations.

"This was purely a private matter and internal conflicts between family members should not be used in any way to tarnish the reputation of someone who is a total stranger to such disagreements and to the family itself," Dr Borg said.

He said the property in question is a field measuring almost half a tumolo. The seller had acquired the property in 2009 when it was valued at €1,000. He then sold it to Dr. Borg last year for €11,700.

Dr Borg said the same person – together with his siblings and his mother - had sold him another property – and hence he had entered into two other separate contracts before and after this particular transaction, together with other 17 members of his family.