The Prime Minister has appointed an inquiry presided by Judge Michael Mallia to investigate the involvement of former inspector Daniel Zammit in connection with Neville Baldacchino's murder in December 2008.

Judge Mallia has also been tasked to investigate any matters or persons that he judges needs to be investigated.

He has been given four weeks to conclude his inquiry, and include recommendations to improve existing procedures.

In a statement this evening, the government pointed out that the investigation and the prosecution took place in the last legislature.

In a subsequent statement, the Opposition welcomed the inquiry but noted that the Prime Minister took a whole week to take action on a scandal that involved people close to his office and the Labour government.

It noted that the Prime Minister did not say what was to become of Mr Zammit's father Ray, who the present government appointed first as Police Commissioner, then as Prisons Director and the head of the local enforcement agency which is to usher in the warden reform.

He also did not say what was to become of Mr Zammit's brother Roderick, who, after the election, was sent to work in the most sensitive section of the police force.