AG’s actions irresponsible-judge

High Court Judge Justice Roger Conventry has this afternoon concluded that Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was irresponsible in bringing proceedings of contempt of court against Lawyer Tupou Draunidalo.

In his ruling this afternoon, Justice Coventry states that it is startling that in a manner in which the case was also withdrawn without given clear reasons and he believes that these proceedings were commenced for an ulterior motive.

He said that there is no evidence or even argument before me to show that Draunidalo was doing other then exercising her right to freedom of expression and there is no ground or argument that she went outside the bounds of the constitution.

The AG's chambers has been ordered to pay Draunidalo $20,000 in indemnity costs by December 11th and ordered that no further proceedings are brought against Draunidalo over remarks she allegedly made on May 14th, 2007.