I was not surprised that the story published in The Times on Dom Mintoff's 1961 letter to Archbishop Makarios III aroused such interest. After more than 40 years taking an active part in politics I can take the rough and tumble that life brings with it. However, what I cannot understand is why some people can be so offensive and virulent when they criticise me.

One such person who posted a comment on timesofmalta.com was a certain J. Farrugia. Doubting that the letter exists, he implied that I am a liar and a cheater. Instead of being serious in his criticism he attacked the singer not the song. His comments were probably even slanderous. However I do not intend to lock horns with Mr Farrugia on the false statements he made. I prefer to stick to the facts. I am prepared to hand over the copy of this letter to the editor of The Times, hoping that he will find the space to publish it.

The 1955 Labour Party electoral manifesto revolved around one main theme: Malta will either be like the British or live without them (jew bħalkom jew mingħajrkom).

When in 1957, Mr Mintoff demanded complete independence from Lennox Boyde, he immediately mapped a strategy to embarrass the British. On the local front he was putting moral pressure on the British by organising mass demonstrations and political meetings. On the international front he personally wrote letters to all the leaders of the newly emerging countries in Africa and Asia, most of the Commonwealth leaders, the Socialist International, the Afro Asian Solidarity Organisation and to a good number of British Labour MPs.

His aim was to bring Malta's case for freedom at the United Nations. In this he succeeded. That letter to Archbishop Makarios, a copy of which I have in my hands, was one of those numerous letters that Mr Mintoff wrote to these leaders.

There is nothing wrong in disagreeing. On the other hand, cannot people like Mr Farrugia be more objective?