Reference is made to the editorial of The Malta Independent on Sunday of 6 June entitled “The source of the rot”, which made a number of unfounded assertions that I deem necessary to clarify for correctness sake towards your esteemed readers.

The editorial implies that my selection as Director Policy Development and Programme Implementation was done through a political appointment because of my and my father’s political background. This is absolutely not the case. As for all appointments at Director level in the civil service, a public call is issued. Each and every eligible candidate goes through a rigorous selection process, which includes an aptitude test followed by interviews held with different evaluation boards composed of senior civil servants.

The editorial also alleges that I do not possess the necessary experience and management skills to hold such positions. May I kindly inform the editor that I graduated in International Affairs from the University of Malta in 1998, spent two years as a Principal Officer in two ministries, a further seven-and-a-half years in a senior management role as officer in Scale 5 in the Ministry of Education, where I also occupied the position of acting head of two different Directorates, and one year as Director Policy Development and Programme Implementation – 11 years in all. I also conscientiously and responsibly served the residents of Victoria as their mayor between 2006 and 2009.

What makes sad reading is that the editorial, rather than providing its readers with factual reporting, chooses to provide an opinion which obviously is not researched and documented and seems that its sole purpose and intention is to actually harm the reputation of individuals and ‘to inflict further pain’ on their families.

Robert Tabone