Government agrees to expand terms of reference of independent inquiry into Nicolette Ghirxi murder
The family of Nicolette Ghirxi, the woman who was murdered in her own apartment in Swatar early August, have agreed with government Ministers to discuss the expansion of the terms of reference of the independent inquiry announced by the Social Policy
The family of Nicolette Ghirxi, the woman who was murdered in her own apartment in Swatar early August, have agreed with government Ministers to discuss the expansion of the terms of reference of the independent inquiry announced by the Social Policy Ministry.
The family’s lawyer Joseph Borda gave an update in a Facebook post on Monday, where he said that himself, his colleague Dr Matthew Xuereb, the Ghirxi family as well as Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri held a meeting today.
Ghirxi’s family had insisted that an independent inquiry into the crime which should be set up by the Prime Minister and said that the inquiry launched by the Social Policy Ministry was done without any consultation, and was limited to deal with the social services as requested by the victim before she was killed. Ghirxi was allegedly killed by her former partner Irishman Edward Johnston, who was killed during a late night standoff by Maltese police.
Borda said that “it appears that there is goodwill, and in the coming days, we will start discussing the terms of reference for an independent inquiry.”
He said that the family was clear that they wanted the inquiry to be open and comprehensive.
“On the other hand, it seems that the government wants to use the inquiry announced by the Minister of Social Policy and expand the terms of reference in agreement with the family,” Borda said.
Borda said that from a legal standpoint, they have already expressed concern about this practice, because the law is clear that a Minister can only open an inquiry on matters falling under his responsibility.
“For everything else, only the Prime Minister can open an inquiry for a broader scope according to Article 4 of the Inquiries Act,” Borda said.
He said that for now, the family will see where it goes with regards to the terms of reference.
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