That Konrad Mizzi’s position within the Government, and now within the House, given the way he’s behaved, is untenable is a given.

Likewise, his boss, Premier Joseph Muscat, who failed to dump him, and that other specimen, Schembri, at the first hint of massive impropriety.

How, in any normal democracy, people like this can face the electorate every morning, knowing that everyone and his sister looks on them as a crooked triad is beyond me.

Just to save yet another libel case being threatened, that was Fair Comment based on a Statement of Truth (unlike Pullicino Orlando, who does the opposite, basing unfair comment on lies) the truth being that Mizzi and Schembri, and necessarily Premier Muscat, have given the impression that what they have done is, at best, prepare for crookedness on an industrial scale and that we, the Great Unwashed, are entitled to draw conclusions as a result.

In fact, all the evidence to date points to more than just preparing to put sticky fingers on piles of filthy lucre and shove it through assorted laundries, but as I say, I don’t really fancy the libel court, so I thought I’d shove in a supercilious disclaimer.

But there are so many others whose position is untenable and who should, in their heart of hearts, be building up a reservoir of bitterness towards the person who put them there, their boss, Premier Muscat.

Evarist Bartolo, for instance, has now reached the point of no return. I hold no brief for Joe Bannister, in whose favour or against the evidence seems to be mounting up, but a Cabinet Minister simply can’t stand outside the Cabinet and repeatedly call for the dismissal of a high official whose appointment is dependent on that self-same Cabinet.

Bartolo must, unless Banister is dismissed and now, resign, there’s no two ways about it.

Helena Dalli is another fr’instance: she has a proud, and justifiably so, record of standing up for minority rights and for ensuring that Malta was dragged kicking and screaming into the late 20th Century, though I do draw the line at multi-coloured zebras. And yet, she tolerates, with nary a peep or a whinny of protest, misogynistic and homophobic blog posts and comments emanating not metres from the Office of Premier Muscat.

There are so many others whose position is untenable and who should, in their heart of hearts, be building up a reservoir of bitterness towards the person who put them there

Dalli must, unless a stop is put to this with an apology, resign, there’s no two ways about it.

I’m going to stop with the “must resign” line, it’s pretty damn useless, obviously, but the point has to be made.

Owen Bonnici is yet another example of someone in an untenable position. Leave aside his blithe remark that “the Konrad Mizzi case is closed, the PM has taken the difficult decisions”, an example of Doublespeak of which Orwell, as I have had occasion to remark, would be fit to bursting.

His interpretation of the rules of the House, allowing a motion of censure of Richard Cachia Caruana but opposing one on Keith Schembri, is clear and unequivocal evidence of an intellectual hypocrisy that is almost breathtaking. According to Bonnici, Cachia Caruana could be debated, because his was a Constitutionally-mentioned position, while Schembri can’t be, because his is an unconstitutional appointment (!)

So Marlene Farrugia’s motion is turned into one of confidence in Premier Muscat, and we all know what happens when this happens, don’t we, children? The whole Labour side of the House obediently raise their thumbs in favour of The Boss, beaming happily towards him to make sure that he has noted their undying fealty and obsequiousness.

Edward Scicluna also has to take stock of his position. He is responsible for financial and fiscal morality and yet he votes in favour of keeping Konrad Mizzi in office.

Leo Brincat, aspiring to appointment to the Court of Auditors, did the same and does anyone seriously expect him not to be grilled on the point?

And what about Mr Speaker, appointed to the position, as we all know, by Premier Muscat, who chose to adopt an interpretation of the rules of the House with which Owen Bonnici agreed, itself an indication of how bad it is, to split the finest of fine hairs and prevent Marlene Farrugia’s motion on Keith Schembri have even a glimmering of a chance, not that it ever had with this bunch? Does he really think his position is tenable?

Is any Labour MP or Minister for that matter, with the exception of Premier Muscat and his adored Super Minister, who forgive, Oh Lord, because he knows no better, comfortable with the untenable bitterness of being in this position?

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