In the press, on Sunday, Dr Gonzi was quoted as stating: “Personal attacks have to stop, even with regard to anybody who does not agree with us and wants to do things differently. We have to respect the dignity of persons.”

“We do not need the attacks because we should never forget that we are a party that believes in values.” Fine words but they ring pretty hollow when one considers that Dr Gonzi has for years supported Daphne Caruana Galizia in her attacks on Franco Debono, JPO and anyone else who doesn’t agree with the party line.

It is well known that Caruana Galizia and other columnists and broadcasters ‘attack to order’ as their chorus of vilification has always focused on the same well-known dissidents at the same time. The use of confidential information, which could only have been garnered from government files, proves that these attacks originated from official sources.

Dr Gonzi has had at least the last 10 years to step in and stamp this out. His failure to do so makes him an active player in this on-going campaign to stamp out free speech and real democracy. So where does that leave the ‘values’ that he says he believes in?

James A. Tyrrell

COUNTY ANTRIM, N. IRELAND