Frans Camilleri writes:

As a politician, he might be considered a failed one. He never attained the highest office. Yet, Lino achieved an enviable reputation as an honest and credible politician, an accolade all too rare nowadays.

He was a beacon for those who view politics not as a profession or a rat-race to the top, but as a vocation in which heart and mind prevail over baser instincts. Even at the height of the politico-religious dispute, which forced him to have his wedding in the sacristy, he was close to many of the clergy.

As a writer of prose and poetry, his output was appreciated variously for its acute observation of humankind, its wit or irony, but also for its celebration of the diversity of nature, both human and natural.

As a journalist, he was of the first order. He was a brilliant editor and opinion-maker. You might not agree with him on anything, but his opinion pieces were challenging. He wrote elegantly. I owe him much.

As an economist, he had a thorough command of theory coupled with its practical application. I recall our Oxford economics tutor asking me what on earth Lino was thinking of doing standing for Parliament, when he could have had such a brilliant career as an economist.

But Lino was also a family man. I can never recall a conversation with him where he failed to talk about his family. You could see that they were precious to him. Lino has now gone to his Maker, who surely will reward him for exploiting the talents He gave him to the full.