Civil society organisations have been demanding the resignation of Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar for two years, and although it arrived late, it is the right step forward, representative of Republlikka, Robert Aquilina, told The Malta Independent.

The latest call for Cutajar's removal came on Thursday evening during a vigil commemorating the slaying of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, during which the police chief's dismissal was one of the requests that were made to new Prime Minister Robert Abela.

“To a point, Abela has made progress, but he still has a lot more to do. We are also demanding for the resignation of Attorney General Peter Grech, and regarding this he has not said anything yet, so we will wait and see what he will do next," Auilina said.

Aquilina said that Abela is still to make contact with the group.

“Many times Abela has said that he is pushing for continuity, continuity of what Muscat has done; on the other hand, we wish for discontinuity from Muscat. We would consider a step in the right direction if the Prime Minister had to recognise Daphne’s contribution in the fight against corruption in Malta. He must also make an apology about the way the Labour Party and the Government treated Caruana Galizia, that they dehumanised her and represented her as a witch. An apology would be a step in the right direction.”

Occupy Justice has also posted on their social media regarding the news of the resignation of Cutajar:

 “We welcome the long overdue resignation of Lawrence Cutajar, and look forward to the investigation that should follow, that should look into the glaring incompetence with which he handled his responsibilities. We also hope that the PM will have the good sense to demand the resignation of the Attorney General, for pretty much the same reasons.”