Lawyers and legal procurators who were undergoing an exam in the law courts building when a bomb threat was made on January 15 all opted to carry on despite being told to evacuate Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said this evening.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Jason Azzopardi, shadow minister for justice, the minister explained that there were 71 lawyers and two legal procurators sitting for their exam when the bomb threat was made. The exam started at 9a.m. and was due to end at noon.

As soon s the bomb threat was made at 10am orders were issued for the whole building to be evacuated. The candidates too were ordered to leave. They were told that the exam was being cancelled.

But the candidates protested and insisted that they should be allowed to continue their exam.

After consultations, it was decided that those who wished could continue their exam  at their own risk.

They all accepted to carry on.

The time was extended by 15 minutes because of the interruption. The candidates were later asked to sign a declaration that they had opted to carry on despite the bomb threat .