I refer to the reporting of the swearing-in ceremony of Adrian Delia as leader of the Opposition (October 7) wherein it was stated that Simon Busuttil was “conspicuous by his absence” at the ceremony.

I have looked up the records of all the ceremonies relating to the swearing in of leaders of the Opposition and it seems that no predecessor ever attended the swearing-in ceremony of his successor. In April 1977, George Borg Olivier did not attend the ceremony  whereby  Eddie Fenech Adami was appointed leader of the Opposition; nor did  Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici attend the swearing-in ceremony of Alfred Sant in March 1992.  Lawrence Gonzi was not present at the swearing-in ceremony of Simon Busuttil in May 2013.

The purpose of this letter is none other than that of proving that Dr Busuttil’s absence was in line with historical precedent.

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