In her interview with former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi (August 4), Ariadne Massa writes that he won “the respect of both sides” and calls this “a unique achievement in Maltese politics”. Unless the word “unique” has changed its meaning, this means that, in the writer’s opinion, no other Speaker – before or after Dr Gonzi – has enjoyed bilateral respect.

This is a baseless and unfair slur on the many fine men (and one woman) who, before and after Dr Gonzi, filled the post of Speaker with ability and dignity to the best of their capabilities. I find it particularly offensive to the memory of my late father Nestu Laiviera who, in his two terms as Speaker, won universal respect for his impartiality and fairness in presiding over the House, a respect that echoes down to this very day.

In his Official History of Malta’s Parliament, Godfrey Pirotta quotes former PM Eddie Fenech Adami on the occasion of my father’s demise in 1984, “…as a politician, Laiviera stood out as a shining example to all. He had occupied the Chair of Speaker with dignity and impartiality”.

I trust that Ms Massa’s slip was not intentional but simply a lack of reflection on the words she opted to use.