Now which Maltese or Gozitan (never forget them say the wily political strategists) child of the past three or more centuries has not been – for umpteen times – taken to task over some misdemeanour and, on being severely admonished by parent, teacher or priest, being told that there was no doubt he or she was lying as there was “a little black cross” on his/her forehead?

Ever since I first wriggled my way out of some boring MUSEUM class as a child, or intentionally skipped a Maths private lesson, I remember being told I had been given away by that tell-tale symbol on my forehead, which was then much smaller as the advent of a receding hairline was still a long way off . However much one tried to look and sound innocent, they would always catch you out. They deliberately focused on that part of your head by way of confirming that the little black cross was, despite your vociferous protestations, markedly evident, sometimes allegedly even giving away all your secrets, excuses and half-truths.

It was a no-win situation. Even when you were actually saying the truth, people simply used the little black cross trick to make you give up and surrender. Feeling too sick for this week’s PE lesson at school? Aha, says your pot-bellied PE instructor, you have a little black cross showing on your forehead. No, boy, you can’t sit it out. Only mum finally believes you, many hours later. And that’s only when you are running a high temperature.

But what about lying adult politicians of the 21st century? Out there in the inner precincts of Birkirkara and in the plush corridors of The State, someone must be sporting a much larger version of the sacred symbol on his forehead. It is ironic that the old hometown annually celebrates the feast of St Helen, who – according to popular legend, of course – had found the very cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Twice within the short space of a few weeks, a former Prime Minister has been found guilty in court of having made false declarations during broadcast debates with the Leader of the Opposition. Is not NOT saying the truth actually lying? This question has to be asked because of the attitude of

his successor, Dr Gonzi, who incredibly saw it fit to go on record in plain, straight-

forward TV sound-bites

saying that, no, Dr Fenech Adami had not lied, when it is known by one and all –

and is recorded on tape – that

the former PM had falsely asserted that Dr Sant had denied his son a place

at university and that Dr Chris Cardona, the

Labour MP also from Birkirkara, did not agree with the party’s anti-EU membership stance.

I suspect some people were convinced they could actually see that little black cross appearing on the present incumbent’s forehead as the television cameras rolled. If a trusted and respected Court of Law finds one guilty of not having said the truth, is that not tantamount to being revealed as having lied? Try answering that question without a little black cross suddenly filling your ample forehead. Paradoxically, it seems there are people so addicted to applying camouflage and political whitewash that they cannot tell the truth without lying.

It all reminds me of the story I once read, which recalled the days when Winston Churchill was still a member of the Liberal Party in the UK.