An ambassador's dilemma (1)

As a former Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Malta's ambassador to a number of countries, I fully understand the dilemma faced by Malta's Ambassador to Ireland Richard Muscat, both at the personal and the official levels, in connection with the allegations made against his son.

He showed lack of judgment in not letting the Minister and the Secretary at MFA know without any delay of this situation which had potentiallly embarrassing consequences for Malta. For this he has paid with his resignation and the matter should stop there at the official level. At the personal level, we should leave Mr Muscat and his family in peace to tackle a difficult situation.

All reports indicate that Ambassador Muscat and his son co-operated with the Irish police in their investigations of the allegations. This would indicate that they did not claim any diplomatic immunity which would have justified a different course of action on their part. It may be pertinent to point out that the claim for, or the waiving aside of, diplomatic immunity is not in the hands of the individual diplomat but is the prerogative of the sending state.

The unsubstantiated allegation by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs knew of the allegations against the ambassador's son long ago, is a despicable exploitation of a personal tragedy for unscrupulous political ends. If I ever held the hope that the shortcomings of the present government would be put right by voting Labour into power, this latest move has convinced me that Dr Sant in power would present a far greater risk.