And about time, too. The clouds placed over former Nationalist minister John Dalli's head were thin in the first place. But they led to behind-the-scenes pressure on him to resign over three years ago. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, it was said, felt he could not have in his Cabinet someone who was under investigation. The two most apparently serious of those investigations came to nought two years back. To less than nought, in fact. Mr Dalli was proven to have been the victim of fraudulently fictitious reports.
The third one, about sourcing of air tickets for official travel, was subjected to what must have been a very thorough examination by the Auditor General. The report was finalised months ago but could not be signed because the term of the head of the National Audit Office had expired in July and a successor had not been appointed. That was confirmed to the former Auditor General by his legal adviser. He notified the Prime Minister and Dr Gonzi acted.
The fact that he did so speedily confirms that the matter, as leaked to the weekend press, had been "on his conscience". In grave tones, at a joint media conference with Mr Dalli, the Prime Minister revealed that, though he had not been given the Auditor General's report, he knew that it placed no blame on the former heavyweight minister. He therefore felt it was both moral and ethical to state so publicly. That the Prime Minister did, going on to appoint the vindicated Mr Dalli as his personal consultant.
The appointment was the cherry on the cake for the born-again political animal that is Mr Dalli. Presumably, he will be contesting the coming general election and he can now do so with relish and confidence. It was not said how the consultant appointment came about. But it is not hard to surmise that, in the secret discussions before the Prime Minister made his announcement, the former minister probably insisted on a tangible sign that he had been reinstated with full honours, if not to the Cabinet - a position, he implied at the press conference, he did not want - then to a considerable extent on his terms.
The appointment cannot be interpreted otherwise. In operational terms it is quite meaningless. As the Labour opposition was quick to point out, there is no time for Mr Dalli to make any impact between now and the general election. That particular die is set. Dr Gonzi will probably announce the date not too long after the festivities, to have it all over and done with before March is far in.
The exoneration and the appointment, wrapped though they are in a deal whose stitches include ethics, moral right and conscience, are well-laced with political content. Mr Dalli had been a live albatross around Dr Gonzi's neck. In clearing him, the Prime Minister did the fair and correct thing. But he also removed the albatross and the harm it could do not only up to the general election but also afterwards, particularly should the Nationalist Party be defeated.
The weekend press suggested that the PN leader might expect a backlash from elements within his party. Unlikely; he calls the shots. The press also reported that the Prime Minister was asked whether Mr Dalli, who has set up a consultancy firm, might be involved in conflicts of interest. Hardly.
Political calculation, ethics and morality aside, the ugly affair is further proof of the need to conduct politics openly and how hazardous the game is. The most important game in town - to serve the country and its people to the best of one's ability - is the most slippery of them all.