NEWS REACHES us from Spain of an intriguing event unlikely to replicated here. Various mayors of Marbella have been consigned to the slammer for a multiplicity of charges in contravention of planning laws on De Costa.

Now, one of those convicted mayors, Julian Munoz is to be a guest speaker at a university forum. Subject: journalism and political corruption. The former mayor is serving a sentence but has day release privileges which allow him to address the subject and the students.

Other participants include Spain’s ombudsman, attorney- general, and the judge who put Munoz behind bars. Couldn’t happen here of course. Munoz, when asked if he was getting a fee for the guest appearance, said: “I never get paid.”