Enough of this revolting Saudi-style nepotism

My column in The Malta Independent today is on the subject of nepotism, how that is the fundamental problem, and how age, unfitness for purpose and rule-bending are exacerbating factors and not the primary reason why these appointments are scandalous. Read it here.

Even if the daughter of the Speaker of the House and former Labour Party deputy leader were 50, supremely competent and qualified in every respect, she should not have been selected for appointment to the bench – not without a competitive process of examinations and interviews in which she proves herself to be the best candidate.

Without that competitive process, the reason for the selection of friends, relatives and cronies is obvious to all, and has contributed massively to a build-up of public disgust.