Minister Claude Meisch has denied accusations of having been violent towards a female official from the Ministry of Education, in a video posted online by a young witness.

The incident, said to have taken place at a café on Rue Chimay in the capital, was discussed in a video posted on social media by a young student who alleged that Meisch had displayed violent behaviour towards his companion, a woman who works for the Ministry of Education. The video was posted online some time ago but has recently resurfaced.

Both Meisch and the senior official concerned have denied the allegations, stating in response to RTL's enquiries that Meisch was not aggressive at any time, nor had he hit the woman. Discussions of defamation and legal action are currently ongoing.

What happened?

On Friday 5 January, the DP minister met a female colleague for coffee on Rue Chimay in Luxembourg City. The subsequent conversation was "heavy and emotional in part," stated Meisch. At some stage during the discussion, a cup of coffee was knocked over, and the minister cleaned up the mess. "I formally deny there was any aggression," he said.

The senior official also issued a statement denying that she had been treated aggressively "at any point in time". She wrote that the rumours surrounding the incident were defamatory and damaging to her reputation, and said she was considering taking legal action. Similar statements have been issued by Meisch.

The young student who posted the video, who stood for election in Dippach for the DP in last year's municipal election, said she was at the same establishment at the time of the incident.

She told RTL she stands by the statements she made in the video, admitting she did not see the minister physically attack the senior official, but confirming there had been a "terrible" argument and that a cup of coffee had been spilled. She said she heard Meisch say "I hit you and you deserved it". The young woman was meant to be interviewed by RTL on Friday, but postponed the appointment on Thursday evening.

In response to RTL's enquiries, the public prosecutor's office said there had been no complaints filed against Claude Meisch. The prosecutor added that there were no plans to submit information on potential CCTV recordings of the café. Police were called to the location by a third party, but when officers arrived at the café, Meisch and the official had already left. The young student who observed the incident is said to have made a formal statement to police.

Prime Minister Luc Frieden stated on Thursday evening that he was "aware of allegations against the Minister of Education circulating on social networks and articles that have appeared in the press."

Frieden's office added: "Since then, he has spoken to the minister concerned, who has denied having physically assaulted anyone. The Prime Minister expects the facts to be established transparently by the competent authorities. He also stresses the principle that all members of the Government must demonstrate exemplary behaviour in all circumstances."