Jean Paul Sofia’s Mother: Abela ‘Offered Me Options’ To Stop Campaigning For Public Inquiry
Jean Paul Sofia’s mother Isabelle Bonnici has told Lovin Malta that Prime Minister Robert Abela had offered her “various alternative options” to stop her campaigning for a public inquiry into her son’s death.
She refused to confirm or deny a report by Mark Camlleri that one of the offers on the table was financial compensation.
During an impromptu demonstration outside Parliament last July, Bonnici handed MPs letters asking for their support on an Opposition motion requesting a public inquiry.
It is believed that when Abela approached Bonnici, the Prime Minister requested a private meeting at his Parliament office, an offer the grieving mother accepted.
“A private meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s parliament office and at the request of Robert Abela and in this meeting the Prime Minster explained the various alternative options to a public inquiry,” Bonnici told Lovin Malta.
Isabelle Bonnici with her late son JeanPaul Sofia
“In that meeting I adamantly refused all options which would stop my campaign for a public inquiry to be held. The meeting was cordial and lasted about an hour.”
Asked how much money was offered in return for her dropping the public inquiry campaign, Bonnici refused to comment.
Despite Bonnici’s best efforts, Abela and all his government MPs voted against the public inquiry, and the session was marred by Sofia’s aggrieved family screaming at PL MPs from the Strangers’ Gallery.
“Look into our eyes,” a relative yelled as Labour MPs stared at their phones.
However, four days after the vote, Abela performed a stunning U-turn and announced that a public inquiry into Sofia’s death would in fact be held. The inquiry, which is being carried out by Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, Auditor General Charles Deguara and court expert Mario Cassar, is currently ongoing.
Lovin Malta has sent questions to Abela’s office to ask whether he had offered money to Bonnici and, if not, what options he had placed on the table to convince her to stop her campaign.
Bonnici was recently named Mvintage woman of the year.
Cover photo: Isabelle Bonnici confronts Robert Abela outside Parliament last April (Photo: Newsbook)
Is it correct for the Prime Minister to offer a range of options to grieving families?
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