Motion for urgent debate on Jean Paul Sofia public inquiry turned down

A parliamentary motion for an urgent debate on calls for a public inquiry into Jean Paul Sofia’s death has been turned down by Speaker Anġlu Farrugia.

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech filed the motion as parliament resumed after Easter recess on Monday.

The speaker turned down the motion, saying that a matter must be urgent enough for a debate to be held there and then, in case it would be too late otherwise.

Farrugia added there had been no recent developments to render the matter urgent enough for the sitting to be suspended for an immediate debate.

Isabelle Bonnici, the mother of Jean Paul Sofia, urged arriving MPs, ministers and Prime Minister Robert Abela outside Parliament to call a public inquiry.

Abela told Bonnici that no public inquiry was needed since a magisterial inquiry is being held, which he insisted to be sped up last week.

He also referred to legal changes in the construction sector over the past months, which she said had not worked for her son who died.