Former Nationalist Finance Minister, the "perfect gentleman" George Bonello Dupuis passed away yesterday afternoon aged 82.

Described by two former Presidents as a "gentleman in politics and in life", Dr Bonello Dupuis was one of Malta's leading politicians, especially after the Nationalist Party's return to power in 1987, and a personality in the football scene.

"We lost a great man and I lost a great friend," President Emeritus Guido de Marco said.

Prof. de Marco said: "He was a great Finance Minister and a great politician."

Dr Bonello Dupuis was appointed Finance Minister after the 1987 elections and served as Economic Services Minister between 1992 and 1995 and is credited with the financial and economic reforms of that period.

He entered the political world with the Christian Workers' Party in 1966 and was first elected on the PN ticket in 1971.

After leaving the House in 1996 he went on to serve as Malta's High Commissioner to the UK between 1999 and 2005.

Referring to his term as Finance Minister, Prof. de Marco said Dr Bonello Dupuis worked for the country when it was in need.

"He was the person who cut income tax by half from 60 to 30 per cent and increased people's income by decreasing the tax."

His words of praise were echoed by President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister throughout Dr Bonello Dupuis's ministerial career, and Malta Football Association president Joe Mifsud.

The successful notary, who was also president of Sliema Wanderers, was let go by Dr Fenech Adami, causing him great disappointment, which he recently said in an interview with The Sunday Times, he "took on the chin".

"When Eddie told me he had had enough of me, I retired gracefully. I was disappointed because it was just two days after my biggest triumph (selling off Bank of Valletta shares) but you have to take it like a man," he said proudly.

In fact, he used the anecdote to lash out at disgruntled Nationalists, complaining on similar grounds.

Dr Fenech Adami had words of praise for his former colleague and stressed that his primary characteristic was that he was a gentleman.

He described him as a man with "great vision" and a sportsman par excellence.

"He wanted to change things quickly. He did everything with great enthusiasm. He had the great satisfaction, when he became minister, of helping to bring about a change in 1987."

Dr Fenech Adami also spoke about Dr Bonello Dupuis's love of football, especially the Sliema Wanderers football club.

"He was a sportsman par excellence, with a special interest in football, especially Sliema, of which he was a great supporter" he said.

Dr Mifsud described him as a man who always did his best to help. "He was very active in sports and even when he was Finance Minister, he helped the sports world as much as he could."

Both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party expressed their condolences at the news of his death.

The funeral will be held on Monday.