QUEBEC — There was an uncommon scene at the Quebec City courthouse as Jean Charest arrived, without his usual entourage, to serve as a witness Wednesday in a legal case.

The Quebec premier came to testify in his $700,000 defamation case against a former member of his cabinet.

The premier is answering lawyers' questions behind closed doors. Charest has sued his ex-justice minister for suggesting that political cronyism influenced judicial appointments in the province.

Former minister Marc Bellemare says Liberal party fundraisers would pick the people they wanted as judges, and that the government would bend to their demands.

He says he tried raising his concerns with Charest and was ignored. Charest has responded by calling a public inquiry and by suing Bellemare.

Charest was answering the questions of Bellemare's counsel Wednesday, in private and without a judge present. A transcript of the testimony could be released eventually, but only when the trial starts.

"I'm being very open," Charest told reporters on his way in.

"Mr. Bellemare has the right to invite me to come and answer questions, which I'm doing in good faith."

Bellemare has until Sept. 3 to state his case. He will then be questioned by Charest's lawyer, Andre Ryan, before Oct. 15.