Alexander Cortis of Zabbar wrote on a miscellany of subjects (TMIS, 4 November) under the heading “Freedom of the Press” citing Joe Borg of Xghajra, Anna Spiteri of Senglea, and Christian Peregrin of Naxxar, all of whom have complained about some aspects of Malta in The Times of your country.

The only name familiar to me is that of Joe Borg who normally moans about Malta but of late has been critical about English rugby! He recently urged the editor of The Times to treat my own letters with contempt because I had been critical of the state of Maltese pavements.

I am sure that the editor of The Times will publish a future letter of mine should he find it worthy of inclusion, just as I trust that the editor of The Independent will find space for this in which I express my opinion that the cited English language press of Malta is truly free. Of course I am aware of pressure groups but what nation is free of them?

Back to Mr Cortis’ letter - I am sure that he will indeed get good financial advice from Mr Borg, a man of property, who recently boasted in The Times of how his accountant assisted him in tax avoidance.

Mr Cortis is obviously not an admirer of the Catholic Church but everyone is entitled to his or her own view on religion and for my part I am grateful to a Malta that was instrumental in giving me the grace to convert to its traditional faith. Yes, I do flaunt my Catholicism and Daphne Caruana Galizia took a swipe at me for that earlier this year – though I still enjoy her column.

I have known Malta for over 80 years, in peace and at war, and the island of today has a great diversity that makes it all the more interesting. But it cannot escape the problems of a small crowded politically divided State. I can only enter a plea for tolerance.

Peter Prictoe

BARNSLEY

SOUTH YORKSHIRE