The Prime Minister must from now on be careful where to show favour. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has obviously, in view of the Mepa auditor’s report into the Mistra application, badly let him down. Lawrence Gonzi showed the dentist favour, giving him preference in the eyes of voters, and in return Dr Gonzi got a mess that smells of corruption and of abuse of power.

In the light of all that has become known about this case, the report clearly indicates what influence government MPs have, and how they abuse it wantonly if it suits them. MPs are elected to serve the electors, instead they lord it over them.

What has come to light is only the tip of the iceberg in the situation involving government MPs. Perhaps, when Dr Gonzi believes he may have brought some sanity into the situation, which I doubt he ever will, he will also look into local government. Local government is the achievement of his predecessor in the PN leadership. Its main contribution to the situation is that national corruption spread to a local level.

So many abuses are being committed, not necessarily for pecuniary gain; such as a resident being given a reserved parking space in his street, though he also has a garage with his residence. Or another resident getting the same because he has a severely disabled son-in-law, a foreigner, who lives abroad with his Maltese wife, and comes over for a short holiday every few years or so. Or another who parks his school bus in front of his garage, but the bus is so long that it extends into and completely takes up, a parking space marked for motorcycles. Though reported, the abuse continues without hindrance.

Local councils are disreputable. It will take a lot to weed out their corrupt practices.

J. Falzon,

Rabat