For the second time, Prime Minister Robert Abela has written to the Chief Justice to force the magistrate conducting an inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia to conclude her exercise.

A similar letter had been written last April.

The second letter comes a day after the government, in Parliament, voted against a motion calling for a public inquiry into the tragedy. A magisterial inquiry has a different role to that of a public inquiry.

The government, instead, voted in favour of a motion it presented to urge a speedy conclusion of the magisterial inquiry. In this respect, the PM urged the Chief Justice to see that the magisterial inquiry is concluded as soon as possible.

In his letter, the PM said that “Parliament renewed the appeal for these cases to be given absolute priority to send a clear message to society that incidents such as these are not acceptable and that everybody should answer to their actions.” The PM did not make any reference to the government’s rejection of the Opposition’s motion for a public inquiry.

Abela said that the 60 days in which a magisterial inquiry should be concluded have long passed and, he said, it is concerning that there is no indication that the magisterial inquiry is being given priority. “I understand the exigencies of the judiciary’s work but I reckon that… more sensitivity should be shown towards such cases”.

He said that he cannot ignore his duty as PM and urged the Chief Justice to see that the magistrate responsible closes the inquiry in the shortest time possible.