Feature

Fijian government speaks out

Fijian government speaks out

The Fijian Government said it is disappointed that there has been little recognition from the British government of the changes and progress made by the Bainimarama led government to establish a modern and progressive state.

In a statement, the Fijian Government commended the British media for revealing corruption in the British Government.

This is after a British MP Patrick Mercer resigned over allegations that he broke Parliament's lobbying rules.

The investigation focused on Mercer's alleged lobbying on behalf of Fiji.
 
However, the Fijian Government said the effort to clean up their government is no excuse for the astonishing ignorance displayed by the British media and, regrettably, the British Foreign Office Minister, Hugo Swire, in his answers to questions in the House of Commons posed by the now disgraced MP, Patrick Mercer.
 
The government said the image of Fiji that is being put forward is rooted in Fiji's past, not its present.

It said today, Fiji is on the path of finalizing a new Constitution, and is preparing for democratic parliamentary elections next year and the elections will be held for the first time on the basis of equal votes of equal value instead of the racially weighted system passed to Fiji by Britain at Independence in 1970.
 
The statement further said in addition, four political parties have been registered so far and are participating in the public debate about our future.

 
Meanwhile Scotland Yard could launch an investigation into potential breaches of the 2010 Bribery Act by British MP Patrick Mercer.

The Observer understands that at least one MP is preparing a complaint that could spark a Met probe into whether Mercer has broken the law, amid allegations that he tabled parliamentary questions on behalf of a lobbying firm paying him thousands of pounds.

The revelation raises the prospect that Mercer could be subjected to a criminal investigation, the first into an MP since the act was introduced.

Those found guilty under the act can be subject to prison sentences running up to 10 years if the case goes to a full trial.

A potential defence against any charge could be parliamentary privilege B the right of MPs to ask questions without fear of being subject to legal action.

Mercer is seeking legal advice following a sting operation by the Daily Telegraph and the BBC.

He was approached by reporters posing as lobbyists representing businesses seeking to end Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth and signed a ,2,000 a month contract.

It is alleged that, after being paid ,4,000, Mercer tabled five parliamentary questions about Fiji drafted by the bogus lobbyists. He also proposed an Early Day Motion a parliamentary device used to draw attention to issues saying there was no justification for Fiji's continued suspension from the Commonwealth.

It is also alleged that Mercer agreed to help establish an all party group on Fiji and to provide a parliamentary pass for a representative of the fictional Fijian client.

The Guardian reports that the BBC released a clip apparently showing Mercer telling an undercover reporter : "I do not charge a great deal for these things. I would normally come out at ,500 per half day, so ,1,000 a day."


Story by:
Vijay Narayan/Sofaia Koroitanoa

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