I hate making a fuss and I hate writing about the same subject twice. But above all else I hate any attempt—direct, indirect or by stealth—to stifle our liberty.

So excuse me if I harp on again about the hero of the moment, Norman Vella.

Yes, from whatever angle you look at the man he is a hero. If we all had to put aside our political prejudices and gouge our myopic eyes out this guy is a hero to all.. He fought and won against something bigger. He remained calm and collected when a whole force was set against him and, instead of baulking and cowering back in fear and apprehension, he said no, took the mighty, bullish beast by the horns and won.

Now I know the man might not be every man’s choice of companion. Some consider him arrogant, a show-off and wanting media attention. And my sweet lord did he get it. But whatever his credentials and whatever your politics, I am sure you will admit this was hardly a case, as the Police Commissioner tried to make out, of a small mistake and all was in order, finer than dandy. The situation stinks—and it stinks in many ways. I do not really care who reported that a photo of two known PL activists—who also happen to be in Government employ—was taken in a place where such nefarious acts are illegal.

If the taking of a photo—which was a lie but let’s imagine it wasn’t or that the police did not know that yet—entails a grilling for four long interminable hours and the confiscation of all devices, then that is extremely worrying.

Instead of the Prime Minister and the rest of his entourage from the meritocracy brigade declaring how preposterous the situation is and that they will conduct a proper enquiry into this unjustified behaviour, all we hear is that there is nothing to worry about and that is all is fine.

Nothing is fine when such things happen. And if it wasn’t for Norman Vella being a showman and a very strong fighter we wouldn’t even know what the big bully state had done. Next time it could be you or anyone who is not too palatable to the present Government.

And no Dear Prime Minister, this case is definitely NOT closed.

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