This week's latest scandal in the tuna industry is nothing new, and is one of many in a long series of corruption fiascos. However, what sets this latest slimy drama apart from the rest is that we have finally been presented with a scenario in which the public figure being accused of corruption has been suspended.

The question we therefore need to ask is why the government applied different standards this time. Why was Fenech Farrugia suspended in the face of mere allegations? Apparently, there has been an ongoing Police investigation ongoing which we were not previously aware of, but why is Fenech Farrugia being punished before the conclusion of such an inquiry? After all, the government has not only defended its own people using this excuse before, but the Prime Minister has also defended Adrian Delia using the same logic.

It has been suggested that the reason that things are different this time is that the pressure is coming from abroad. The Spanish Police hold the cards, and it would be too damaging for Malta to be seen to do nothing for a change.

There is no chance that Fenech Farrugia is going to win the Volunteer of the Year Award, to which one may be tempted to nominate Neville Gafa next year. Neville Gafa just happened to bump into an old friend in Libya who also happened to be a warlord. No excuses are forthcoming this time for Fenech Farrugia.

This stark and glaring contrast in treatment goes to show where the government sets its limits in protecting its own. What is unfortunate is the likelihood that had the allegations come from a Maltese person or entity regarding Fenech Farrugia, then the government would no doubt have defended her. Is it too much to ask that Maltese and Gozitan people are listened to when they ask for the truth and for justice? What will it take to stop the continued fattening of Malta's bluefin tuna in Parliament? This week, there is slime in our sea which, it is being claimed, is not a result of tuna for a change. Perhaps it is coming from our politicians.