Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi must face cross-examination in a number of libel cases revolving around allegations stemming from the Panama Papers scandal, two of which had been instituted against slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

This was the subject of an order minuted on Monday by magistrate Francesco Depasquale who had put off the decision back in June, when the minister’s lawyer, Aron Mifsud Bonnici, had requested the postponement of his client’s cross-examination once the latter was still to testify in three ongoing magisterial inquiries.

The same argument had been raised by the PM’s Chief of Staff, Keith Schembri, in similar libel proceedings against Ms Caruana Galizia, his lawyer insisting that the subject matter of those inquiries could directly impinge upon the merits of the current libel proceedings.

When the libel suits were called on Monday morning, the court noted that it was necessary for proceedings instituted by Dr Mizzi to continue.

Having heard all arguments by both parties during the previous sitting in June, the court authorised the respondents to cross-examine the minister during the next sitting.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici informed the court that although he would bring this fact to the notice of the minister, he was not in a position to confirm whether the latter would have government commitments on the date set for the next hearing.

The cases were adjourned to November.

Later this month, the court is expected to pronounce its decision in respect of the other libel suits instituted by Mr Schembri.