I have read with interest the various letters and articles appearing in The Times regarding the takeover of The National Bank of Malta in December 1973.

Apart from the major shareholders there were also the small shareholders. These were Maltese citizens from all walks of life, including a good number of pensioners, who saw their lifetime savings being taken away from them at the stroke of a pen.

There were others, like the three Colombos sisters who had no pension and lived solely on the dividends earned from their shares in The National Bank of Malta. Angelika Colombos died of a heart attack on the pavement of Archbishop Street, Valletta, on the morning of the takeover of the bank while Maria and Euterpe eventually died in Mount Carmel Hospital, penniless.

In 1987 we voted in a government with the slogan “Work, Justice and Liberty”. I cannot comment negatively on the work and liberty part of the slogan. However, where we shareholders of The National Bank are concerned, we have been awaiting justice for over 35 years. Shame!

Justice delayed is justice denied.