The portly backbencher was the appetizer yesterday at the PL political meeting in Qormi.

He had said pretty much the same thing some months ago when he spoke in Parliament but little to no notice was taken of his words. Yesterday, with the prime minister present, acting the good cop to his bad cop, he got more traction. And reaction.

Former minister Manwel Mallia offered MEP David Casa and Magistrate Bugeja some unasked for advice.

He reminded his audience that according to the law, anyone handling an FIAU document without authorization is committing a crime. And without mincing words, Dr Mallia told the magistrate what he should do if Mr Casa appears in front of him brandishing the document and revealing it. The magistrate must not allow his courtroom to witness a flagrant breach of the law and must put an end to any attempt to divulge its contents.

First of all we are sure that, even if Mr Casa does not know the law, the magistrate on the other hand surely knows it. And he does not need any lawyer to remind him.

Secondly, Dr Mallia maybe forgot that Mr Casa is no ordinary citizen but a Member of the European Parliament and that consequently, as Arnold Cassola points out in today's issue, to proceed against or even arrest an MEP the permission of the European Parliament is required.

In other words, an 'OK, siehbi' approach will not be enough.

Even if we have come to the point where several persons have come forward to self-immolate themselves, defy the police to arrest them and turn them into instant heroes.

They are actually flocking to get this treatment. Even today the Leader of the Opposition will be marching to the Law Courts to register yet another protest against the government. And he is inviting supporters to go along with him.

The space between the Law Courts and the Daphne Caruana Galizia shrine may witness interesting scenes.

Meanwhile, the party, having already had reason to rue his elevation to a ministry, may yet rue having invited him to speak first yesterday.