Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced a public inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia, while also blasting the delays in the magisterial inquiry investigating the same case.

Abela made the announcement during a press conference on Monday evening, little over an hour before a vigil for Sofia was to take place.

Sofia's family - who were informed of the decision to appoint a public inquiry prior to the press conference - said through their Facebook page that the vigil would go on, and be a "festival of love" for their son.

The U-turn was announced a mere five days after Abela and 39 other Labour MPs voted against a public inquiry, and on the same day that Magistrate Marsanne Farrugia sought a 30 day extension to her magisterial inquiry into the case.

The magistrate’s extension came despite repeated calls by Prime Minister Robert Abela for the magistrate to conclude her inquiry.  Abela has twice – once in April, and once last week after refusing a motion for the setting up of a public inquiry into Sofia’s death – written to Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti imploring him to see that the magisterial inquiry is closed as soon as possible.

Abela has used the ongoing magisterial inquiry as the justification for refusing to appoint a public inquiry into Sofia’s death, despite pressure from the family, opposition, NGOs, unions - which as of Monday included the traditionally Labour-leaning General Worker's Union - and over 25,000 petitioners.

The Prime Minister blasted the magistrate’s extensions, saying that the law says that an inquiry should be complete within 60 days – so in this case, by last February – but the magistrate has been “dragging it out” ever since.

“I was informed some minutes ago that the magistrate and her experts have not heard the testimonies of Jean Paul Sofia’s family yet.  This is a situation which, to me, is not acceptable anymore,” Abela said.

He said that he still believes that the best tool in order to achieve justice is the magisterial inquiry and the proceedings that follow, but the people now are, rightly, expecting answers.

“I understand them. They want peace of mind and that everyone who was at fault or contributed to this tragedy must pay the price for their behaviour,” he said.

“That is why as Prime Minister, a Maltese and a father – I am no longer comfortable with this delay,” he added.

Abela says that he is still convinced that the best method is to allow the magisterial inquiry to conclude, publish the proces verbal, and then hold administrative inquiries to close any loose ends.

“I still think that this is the best procedure, but unfortunately that which is practice is not possible because we have a magisterial inquiry which is dragging its feet. Almost 8 months have passed and there is no end in sight. This is why the government is not going to remain a hostage for the courts,” Abela said.

He first explained that he felt a conflict between his responsibility as Prime Minister to safeguard the institutions and the emotions of being a father.

He said that he wanted to apologise unconditionally “to all those who felt that I did not show the emotions of a father and a human, and I apologise especially, unreservedly and unconditionally, goes to Jean Paul’s mother, father, and his family.”

Abela said that the report of the magistrate’s extension has made them act.

“We are faced with a situation where we do not know when the magisterial inquiry will be concluded.  What is certain is that the country cannot let this wound grow further, or have a doubt that someone is covering for someone else when this isn’t the case,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that there was another death related to construction announced this morning, and that these and all victims are before their eyes and in their thoughts in announcing the inquiry.

Abela said that he would be appointing an inquiry in accordance with the Inquiries Act.  This will be led by retired Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon – who was recently appointed as Ombudsman with the full support of Parliament, who will then be joined by Auditor General Charles Deguara – who also enjoyed cross-party support for his appointment – and court expert and architect Mario Cassar.

He said that the principles which will govern this inquiry will be absolute transparency, full scrutiny on the government authorities and institutions starting from the moment the land handed out and moving forward from there, and that it will focus on the road forward vis a vis health and safety regulations in the construction sector.

Abela added that this will be fully open to the public and the conclusions of the inquiry will be published immediately.

“I do this with an appeal to the magistrate to conclude her investigations and pass on her report so the authorities can take action,” he said.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said that justice must be done, and it must be seen to be done in a reasonable way, reiterating that in the past months, government has continued with the same continuous message that the magisterial inquiry must be concluded without delay.

He said that the magistrate’s delay was unacceptable, and the principles were not being adhered to after months of the inquiry.

Attard said that the public inquiry must be conducted in a way that does not interfere with court procedures, and that the main condition is that it would be led in a way where Sofia’s family are actively participant in all the sittings.

Attard continued that the inquiry must establish whether government institutions took all the necessary and efficient measures, or if they had shortcomings on enforcement of safety at a construction site.

He also said that the public inquiry will have a deadline, and the report and conclusions of the said inquiry would be published immediately.

Attard said that the victims’ position must be strengthened, so as to not leave them blind in light of a tragedy of this kind.

Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the legal notice with regards to the licensing of contractors will be published, so that contractors involved in the building, excavation and demolition of buildings will be able to apply for their license by no later than the end of October, and thereforet the procedures for licensing can begin.

He said that once Parliament reconvenes again, the government will be presenting a bill which will regulate the Building and Construction Authority, to further ensure that whoever needs to shoulder the responsibility understands it and ensures that the responsibility is upheld.

Answering questions by the media, Abela emphasized that the public outcry, along with the magistrate’s decision to extend the magisterial inquiry, have unfortunately led him to take this next step, while emphasizing continuously that the magistrate must conclude the magisterial inquiry.

Abela also emphasized that it is untrue that government has something to hide, and if it were him, he would have concluded the magisterial inquiry already.

‘Today, Malta won’ – Bernard Grech

In a short video address following Abela’s press conference, Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech said: “Today, Jean Paul Sofia won.  Today, every victim on the place of work won.  Today, Malta won.  Today we started the road for the full truth, and this is thanks to the determination of Jean Paul Sofia’s parents.”

He thanked all those who “felt that they should answer the call for national unity.”

Grech said that up until a few hours ago, the Prime Minister had consistently closed the door on Sofia’s parents and on the truth, but the people had kicked that door wide open because it understood that together they can push for change to happen.

He said that this is why together they need to show that it is not acceptable for the country to be led by stubbornness.

“My appeal is to keep making your voices heard, and to keep talking,” he said.

He said that he is proud that the PN spoke in favour of national unity and voted for the public inquiry to take place.

“Today the people won because the public inquiry will be done.  All of this is for Jean Paul Sofia.  All of this is for our country,” he concluded.