With reference to Joseph Bonello’s letter entitled “Of principles and intentions” (TMIS, 4 November), I would like to point out to Mr Bonello that his arguments regarding “no misconduct” have already been adequately dealt with in my letters and those of a certain Mary Camilleri, whose last letter to The Malta Independent of Sunday of 23 September raised questions that Mr Bonello shrewdly avoids to answer. I will not repeat what has already been said.

What I will denounce, however, is Mr Bonello’s attack on my integrity in his claim that I was ready to “sell my principles” so to speak if the Ministry were to pay me the “full arrears”. Yes, I did half-seriously, half-bluffingly state that I would sign the document if full arrears were given. The reason is that the law limits the Ministry’s liability to only five years. Therefore, if the Ministry were to give the full 12 years that I claimed then it would be going beyond the ‘call of legal duty’, in a manner of speaking. In the light of this fact, good manners would dictate I say thank you (signing the document after giving it to me ex gratia). As an example for the comprehension-impaired: I lose my wallet and you find it, Mr Bonello. You give me my wallet. Even though you are doing the right thing, and the wallet is mine, still protocol dictates that I thank you, even reward you...

So please give it a rest and let’s get off the merry-go-round. And don’t you ever dare again say or imply that I sell my principles. Just like you wrote your letter on “your own behalf”, then why not call me “on your own behalf” and you won’t be going against the ethics of your profession.

Joe Falzon

QALA