Robert Abela has just announced a public inquiry into the tragic death of 20-year-old Jean Paul Sofia last December.

“We have a magisterial inquiry which is dragging its legs and I am no longer comfortable with this wait time that I had the hope would come to an end soon,” Abela told a press conference.

“It is the call of the people, and it should now also be my call and the call of government,” the prime minister continued. “This is a government of the people, a government for the worker. A sensitive government who is not hard-headed. And we can never forget those principles.”

The public inquiry will be run by three people, led by Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon.

This evening’s announcement comes five days after Abela came under fire for leading a parliamentary vote which saw all 40 MPs on his side of the aisle reject the opening of a public inquiry into the young man’s construction-related death, opting instead to stick to a magisterial inquiry.

The decision triggered nationwide condemnation from family members, politicians, activists and personalities alike, with a petition kicked off and driven by Sofia’s mother Isabelle now sitting at just under 30,000 signatures.

Earlier today, former prime minister Joseph Muscat spoke out publicly about the ongoing debate, saying not only does he believe a public inquiry should be opened into Sofia’s death, but also into the deaths of others who died as a result of the construction industry.

Meanwhile, a vigil for Jean Paul which is expected to mobilise a large number of people to Valletta and has gathered an overwhelming wave of support online is set to kick off in front of Castille Palace in just over an hour, at 8pm.

What do you make of this latest development from the prime minister? Sound off in the comments below.