The Magisterial Inquiry into the death of 20-year-old Jean Paul Sofia has been concluded – and Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged to publish it once the Attorney General sends it his way.

The long-awaited inquiry, which Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia had asked no less than six 30-day extensions for, is now in the hands of the Attorney General.

Technically, it is up to the AG to decide whether the inquiry is made public – but Abela said he intended to ask for it to be made public “in the interest of the public”.

He also pledged to publish it in its entirety “without redactions.”

Taking questions by media, Abela hit out at the Opposition, who he said was riding on the emotions of Jean Paul Sofia’s parents for political gain.

Abela said that a seed had been planted in the minds of the Maltese that the government were trying to “hide” something with these inquiries – and he said that he hoped the magisterial inquiry would finally disprove this.

He also reiterated his belief that voting against holding a Public Inquiry into Sofia death last week was the right move – even though he called for a Public Inquiry just days later after caving to public pressure.

He said that he still wanted the Magisterial Inquiry to be concluded before calling for a Public Inquiry as he didn’t want any “criminal elements” to latch on the the Public Inquiry and request any criminal investigations wait until the new inquiry ends. Public Inquiries can last years.