Three retired judges have been appointed to head an inquiry to look into the allegations surrounding the shots fired by the driver of Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia last week, the Office of the Prime Minister announced this evening.
The board of inquiry will be led by Judge Albert Magri, and also includes judges Joseph David Camilleri and Philip Sciberras.
The inquiry is tasked to investigate the behaviour of Dr Mallia and/or other officials in connection to last week's incident, in which PC Paul Sheehan, who had been assigned as the minister's driver, fired shots at a car which allegedly clipped a mirror of the ministerial car.
Judge Albert Magri, Judges Joseph David Camilleri and Judge Philip Sciberras
According to OPM, the inquiry board will focus on determining whether there had been any wrongdoing by Dr Mallia or other officials, whether Dr Mallia intervened to cover up the incident, and any ancillary matters which may arise.
The board is tasked to present a final report to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat within 15 days.
Dr Muscat had originally invited Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil to appoint the retired judge who will be leading the inquiry, but Dr Busuttil turned down the offer, insisting that the inquiry was superfluous.
"Instead of doing what is expected and sacking Minister Manuel Mallia immediately, the Prime Minister is trying to brush of responsibility," Dr Busuttil said in a statement.
The Nationalist Party leader also argued that no judge could decide who should carry political responsibility over the incident.