It has been five months since my family and I returned from Germany after spending many weeks in the German military hospital following the loss of my wife.

During that period I cannot express enough the help and genuine concern given by the Maltese embassy staff and the Ambassador William Spiteri.

To learn that William has been called to retire from his post due to his age has come as a shock and disappointment. This can be nothing but a great loss to the Maltese and German people, as such an active man, who has done so much to promote Malta with such personal enthusiasm and dedication, will be missed dearly.

William is a very young 63 and if his reasons for relinquishing his post are not for ill health or political motivations then I can only hope that this decision will be changed and someone has the good sense not to lose such an asset to the Maltese Government and its people.

William has become a friend to my family and, no doubt, all who have had contact with him during his term of office. A more genuine and sincere ambassador will be hard to find.

I have no idea about William’s views on this matter, and he may not even approve of this letter, as these are only my personal feelings and those of many who have known him.

Our sincere best wishes to him and his family and I hope that he is not put out to pasture at such a young age.

Brian Woolner (and girls)

Rabat