I never liked the man and I always suspected him for many things. I have had contacts with him with clients regarding very large projects indeed. What I feel so sad and upset about is that this man was given the unreserved confidence of former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami (and this to the detriment of one of the most loyal and untainted PN men – George Bonello du Puis; who was in fact humiliated). Lawrence Gonzi was perfectly right in sidelining Dalli. He was a threat to the PN’s leadership, having lost the contest himself. Some years back, I think it was 2004, when the man resigned as Minister, I had written an article on the basis of one of his election manager’s (no less I believe) writings. I questioned the writer’s hidden agenda.

 It was Christmas time and I got comments at the usual family does such as “what got into you?” and “don’t mess around with Dalli”. The author got back at me with his usual ruthless (or so he thinks) manner; and all of which he wrote was totally irrelevant – swimming pools, patios, business class tickets, professional colleagues, close members of the family, and so on. Can he comment now? Whatever the outcome of the case before the ECJ, a lot has come out from the mouths of Commissioner Barroso and his close aides that cannot be wiped away.

The man had hospital treatment in Brussels for psycho something or other – and I doubt it’s cheap, unless it was covered by the tremendous or massive retirement package he must have received. But when the Labour Party was elected last year, he suddenly bounced back and returned when former Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit took over the helm of our forces of law and order and declared “no case”. The man then started fighting back and building up a case; or trying to. Of course he can afford it (and I mean it like hell) unlike our common street Johnny Come Lately. Can anybody just dream about the cost of a case before the European Court of Justice?

But then I felt very sorry following Barroso’s and Dalli’s testimony on line. Barroso was forceful, sure of himself and convinced. Dalli seemed totally pathetic. He had actually submitted himself to the chopping board and basically got butchered. Was it pride, arrogance, presumption, or all?  He should have given up a long way back. Retired gracefully to some private practice or lucrative consultancy or, perhaps, Mater Dei, and not persevere, especially when he should have realised the wily Barroso (lawyer and all) kept his cards firmly up his sleeve all along and then delivered a grand slam at the appropriate moment. I sincerely believe that this all very sad for John Dalli, but then he brought it on himself, like so many other things. Above all, he took on the wrong man.

What to me, at least, is also very sad is the resignation of Notary Ian Castaldi Paris as Mayor of Lija and, more so, as a member of the Nationalist Party. I know the former Mayor as being a stalwart in the defence of the village’s heritage and core area – although I know a couple of fiery residents (albeit on the outskirts) who disagree. To my knowledge he has had the backing of the Lija population for some years and has also been a leading member of the PN. He quotes lack of respect from his Party as being the reason for his resignation. But such a statement is not enough. People who resign from public office must have the guts to say exactly why. I have been through it myself. In that way, people can learn. What did the disrespect consist of? And to resign from the Party must mean it was substantial. How often do we cite the ambiguous personal reasons as a basis for resignation. Sometimes we quote health reasons. This is fair enough and will certainly not be challenged or investigated. But personal reasons? For example, Ray Fenech resigning from Chairman of Air Malta. What is the real why?

And finally a tribute to veteran journalist Anton Cassar who passed away last week. A good friend of my father from “Il-Berqa” days (who predeceased him thirty years previously on exactly the same date). We became friends too over the years. When some couple of years ago I invited him to present the George Sammut award for opinion articles under the auspices of the Institute of Maltese Journalists he accepted without hesitation and (though I say it myself) with great satisfaction. I was told (since I was abroad at the time) that he also recounted the times he was invited to my parents’ house and the fare he was served with by my mother. Notwithstanding divergent political views there was never a moment where he could not deliver a balanced and reasonable argument. May he rest in peace.