Instead of an apology to Ms Vella and Mr Bugeja, the editor has seen fit to point out that the insulting insinuations in Stephen Calleja’s two defamatory articles (FAA head’s private shareholding could mean exclusion from Mepa board, TMIS, 21 February and The men who stare at fields, TMIS, 31 January) were backed by “proof in the possession of the Independent”. The editor insisted that this was not hogwash (sic) or inaccurate facts. Well, delving into peoples’ private affairs (made to sound respectable by calling it “research”) with the sole object of publicly undermining two civic-minded people is worse than hogwash. Events in the intervening decades have shown that the proffered “proof” from so-called “research” does not in the least support the sordid and gratuitous accusations, the object of which was character assassination.

The editor is now merely hiding behind words, the hard fact is this: both articles were written and worded with the specific motive of distorting facts in such a way as to falsely put Ms Vella and Lino Bugeja in a bad light. This gratuitous attempt at smearing demands an apology.

As the saying goes: It’s not the joke that counts, but the way it is told. This was a brilliant piece of misuse of facts. An apology is still due.

G.G. Debono

SLIEMA