The volume of comment generated by my letter on the nature of the Maltese flag does not surprise me but the nature of the debate disappoints.

The issue of the flag does not centre on being pro or anti Britain, Nationalist or Labour. It centres on being pro Maltese and what is appropriate on our national flag. I contend all national flags are no go areas for foreign symbols regardless of their source.

I wish to dispel the impression my letter may have created that I am anti British. I am not. Members of my family are British as are many of my friends. Malta has a warm relationship with Britain and I would wish it to be maintained and enhanced.

Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that the British ruled Malta principally for their own interest, often to the grave disadvantage of the Maltese, which is something some in Malta are either ignorant of or simply prefer to ignore.

Having said this, I do not wish to condemn the British because they acted as other imperial powers did. They were no worse than other imperial powers; in some ways, they were better. But they were the imperial power over Malta for 150 years and I do not see how Malta benefited from the experience. To place their decoration on the national flag is totally incongruous for a former colony.

Those supporting the George Cross on the Maltese flag do so in the belief it brings the nation international respect. But they need to understand that the flag is the nation's cloak and the current cloak has a Made In Britain tag attached to it. That's likely to attract international ridicule rather than respect.