Former prime minister Joseph Muscat said Thursday the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia should have been held after the murder trial rather than before it, arguing that it could now have taken into account all the evidence that emerged in court.

Writing on social media following Yorgen Fenech's acquittal by a nine-member jury, Muscat said he had always maintained that the inquiry he had himself ordered would have been better held after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

"Today more than ever I believe it would have been wiser for the public inquiry to take place now, to see everything that emerged rather than make assumptions, some of which can now be interpreted as going against the jury's verdict," he said.

Muscat said he had initially believed the inquiry should follow the trial so that it could consider all the facts that emerged during the proceedings without affecting the criminal case.

However, he said pressure had eventually convinced him that the inquiry should go ahead immediately, as there could otherwise have been an impression that there was an intention not to hold it.

His comments came hours after Fenech was acquitted of the charges relating to Caruana Galizia's murder, with jurors finding him not guilty by an eight-to-one majority.

Muscat also stressed that the verdict had to be respected, while acknowledging that people remained free to agree or disagree with the jury's decision.

"One should respect the course of justice while everyone is free to agree or disagree with the verdict. This is the Rule of Law," he said.

He defended the conduct of the investigation and prosecution, saying that from the outset, including during his time as prime minister, it had been made clear that nobody was protected from justice.

"Investigators and prosecutors worked calmly and were given all the tools they requested," Muscat said, pointing specifically to the testimony of a person who had been granted a presidential pardon following a joint written recommendation by the police and Attorney General.

Muscat also welcomed the reaction of Caruana Galizia's family following the verdict, noting that they had thanked investigators and prosecutors and continued to support the approach taken by the authorities.

He contrasted this with what he described as the political posturing and slogans of those who had chosen to react to the verdict in a manner that, he argued, was contrary to the principle of the rule of law.

"If there is scope for further investigations, as the prosecutors have indicated are taking place, these should be carried out without any reservation or delay," he said.

The former prime minister also suggested that the latest developments could give the public inquiry renewed relevance, particularly in examining evidence and issues that surfaced during Fenech's lengthy trial.

Muscat ended his statement by saying he intended to speak publicly in the coming days and address questions from journalists.

He said he wanted to "remove the stone in my shoe" that he had endured for the past six years out of respect for the institutions.

The public inquiry, which investigated the circumstances surrounding Caruana Galizia's murder and the failures of the state to prevent it, concluded that the Maltese state had to bear responsibility for creating an atmosphere of impunity in which those who sought to eliminate her could feel that they would face minimal consequences.