be held, Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon said yesterday.

She added: "We view with alarm and concern the recent turn of events in the Rebecca Middleton case.

"We want the public to know that we recognise, accept and support that there should be an inquiry to examine the issues and questions which have been raised by those involved in the case, including the Middletons, as well as by the people of Bermuda.'' Ms Gordon added that no-one could ignore the "heartfelt pleas of Rebecca's parents, to whom we offer our sincere sympathy''. She said: "We empathise with them and can only imagine what they're feeling.'' Premier Jennifer Smith has so far declined to comment on the case -- either to the Bermuda-based or Canadian media.

Ms Gordon added she understood "the depth and strength of emotions'' surrounding the controversy generated by the case, which saw murder accused Justis Smith walk free from court this week after a Supreme Court judge ruled he had no case to answer because of lack of evidence.

She said: "At this time, our information is that the judgment rendered on Tuesday may be appealed by the Crown.

"If that is so, we must respect the judicial process and permit all available judicial remedies to be exhausted. We therefore do not propose to comment on the specifics of this case.'' But Ms Gordon said -- irrespective of the outcome of further legal proceedings -- a probe should be ordered into the case.

She added: "Any inquiry should be broad enough yet sufficiently focused so as to ensure that similar concerns do not arise in the future.

"In order to ensure an impartial inquiry, we expect any inquiry to be undertaken by experts.

"They should not be employed by the Attorney General's Chambers, the Bermuda Police Service, members of the Government or any other persons who have, or be seen to have, a vested interest in the inquiry.

"A truly impartial inquiry is essential if the system is to be reformed.'' Both then-Attorney General Elliott Mottley -- who quit the Island to return to Barbados only days before Smith walked free -- and the Police Service have come under fire over their handling of the case.

Kirk Mundy was jailed for five years after admitting being an accessory after the fact in the brutal slaying which sent shock waves through Bermuda and Canada.

The Crown, however, later tried to have Mundy charged along with Smith on a murder charge after forensic evidence sent to Royal Canadian Mounted Police labs arrived back on the Island.

But the bid to re-charge Mundy was rejected all the way to the Privy Council in London, Bermuda's final court of appeal.

Earlier this week, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox did not rule out an inquiry -- once all the legal avenues were exhausted.