I refer to the letter by Valerie Borg entitled Valletta United (TMID, 6 April).

For the record, Mrs Borg’s comments are utterly untrue when she alleged that my presence as Valletta mayor during the Good Friday procession was in any way inappropriate, breaking the necessary silence during such a solemn and dignified occasion.

I have led the council in these processions and on other occasions for six years to the best of my ability as mayor, with the utmost respect and dignity which every event requires, even at times when I had to bear the indignation of Mrs Borg herself attending such events in red attire, munching chewing gum, and answering mobile phone calls, ringing with high pitched tones, or when she talked, kissed and shook hands with some of the on-lookers, as though the procession was a Labour Party walk-about.

It is a pity for Mrs Borg to politicise the event in such a low manner by, on the one hand discrediting my presence and that of my fellow councillors and, on the other hand, praising the attendance at the event of Dom Mintoff who – like the many hundreds of people who flock to Valletta for the occasion – had every right to be there.

The Good Friday Procession in Valletta is considered by the Maltese people as one of the most serious and traditional processions on the Island, and I will lead all subsequent processions responsibly and with this principle in mind as I have done in the past events.

It is so incorrect and very bad taste for Mrs Borg to take such partisan approach in her puerile attempt to demean the event.

Paul Borg Olivier

Valletta mayor