‘Mintoff was charismatic, controversial and contradictory’ – Tonio Borg

Speaking to MaltaToday, foreign minister Tonio Borg saluted former Premier Dom Mintoff as the longest-serving politician in Maltese history.

"I was personally involved in a number of cases which the Nationalist Party had instituted against Mintoff as Prime Minister, but my opinion about Mintoff is that he is owed respect for his dominant role in Maltese politics spanning some 51 years," Borg said.

He described Dom Mintoff as a "charismatic, controversial and contradictory leader, given the change from calls for integration with Britain to establishing a Republic and insisting on closing all British bases on the island."

Borg also recalled some long discussions with Mintoff in parliament when the late premier would ask for him.

"He would go on forever, and one time it took me well over 20 minutes to descend the steps leading out of parliament," he said.

"Just like government and the Nationalist Party saluted Mintoff, I agree that although he was a tough political rival, he is owed respect for his long service to the nation," Borg said.