As the press conference to which Aquilina was subjected on his return from overseas made clear, no-one was going to listen to any argument in his defence, let alone wait for proof that he had committed any offence. No, he says, he did not. He says not, and says that he was misinformed by ministerial staff. At least one staffer, by his resignation, seems to have accepted this was the case. Or whatever you think you can get away with.
Spin doctors are of the essence of modern politics and media.
So occasionally some of them are going to make mistakes, not cover up their tracks sufficiently, and get caught out. But the only alternative for a minister is to forgo any protection from the dingoes of the media. There is much about the Cecil Hills affair which remains murky. This was the source of the fears of another Columbine High School massacre. Unless it is a matter of mutual exchange of confidences, it usually only occurs when the diary has been stolen, or snatched out of the hands or belongings of its owner.