PL urges government prudence on inquiries

The Opposition's spokesman on justice has urged the government not to undermine confidence in the law courts by appointing boards of inquiry in parallel with Magisterial inquiries.

Dr Jose' Herrera in a statement said that having two separate inquiries on the same case - a Magisterial inquiry and an inquiry appointed by the government - created confusion and potentially undermined confidence in the law courts, especially if the inquiries reached different conclusions

Dr Herrera said the current situation was created a state of uncertainty in the administration of justice.

It was important to stress, he said, that the law required that some cases by investigated by a Magistrate because the courts were independent of the executive.

The government should act prudently in order to avoid undermining confidence in the courts, Dr Herrera said.