Suspended DPP Pryde withdraws from Tribunal hearing, Acting Chief Justice yet to respond

Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde says until his salary has been restored to allow him to adequately defend himself, he is unable to attend or participate in the Tribunal hearing on 2nd December 2024.

Pryde says if his salary and entitlements under his contract, which remains in force, are reinstated, he is ready to reinstruct his legal counsel and proceed with the matter.

The suspended DPP says he will not be intimidated by the JSC into resigning his office as the DPP and he will not be bullied into participating in a hearing without the ability to adequately defend himself.

It is alleged that Pryde spoke to Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at a function at a time there was an ongoing police investigation against Sayed-Khaiyum.

The second allegation is that Pryde has been receiving $2,200 superannuation a month since September 2019 which was not approved by the Judicial Services Commission, the Attorney General or the President.

Pryde yesterday referred to a letter from the Tribunal on the need for the Tribunal to be just and fair.

He asks how can a hearing be just and fair when he has been deprived of the means to adequately defend himself.

Pryde says the continuation of a hearing under these circumstances is a clear violation of the President’s mandate to the Tribunal to be just and fair.

He says he is advised that it is also a violation of relevant International Labour Organisation conventions which Fiji is a party to and has ratified.

Pryde then says that the disgraceful circumstances that have brought them to this point lie squarely with the Acting Chief Justice as the Chair of the Judicial Services Commission, and the JSC’s decision to advise the President to suspend his salary and entitlements prior to the hearing.

He alleges the Acting Chief Justice’s actions, and those of the JSC, amount to an interference in the Tribunal proceedings and are a contempt.

Pryde says he notes the Prime Minister has also spoken publicly in support of his claim to have his salary reinstated and any fair-minded layperson would agree.

He adds as he has made clear in correspondence to the Tribunal on many occasions, he wishes to participate in the Tribunal hearing in order to defend himself against these contrived allegations but he is only able to do so by instructing adequate legal counsel.

Meanwhile the Judicial Services Commission had also referred a complaint against Pryde alleging unlawful payment of benefits under his contract amounting to about $288,999.

We have sought comments from Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo. He is yet to respond.