19 Jan 2004

Cook Islands court clears MP Norman George of double-dipping allegation

8:03 am on 19 January 2004

The high court in the Cook Islands has issued a declaratory judgment, clearing MP Norman George of allegations of double-dipping.

Mr George has been working as a government consultant but was not deemed to be a crown servant.

If the ruling had gone against him, he would have lost his seat in parliament.

Mr George says he is ecstatic about the decision adding that he has also sickened by the envy and jealousy in the community.

And he says the ruling should have been released sooner.

"I'm highly critical of our Crown Law Office, our solicitor-general. She could have easily dealt with the matter a lot quicker. It was dragged for nine months, it created some sense of instability and that's because of the poor performance our Crown Law Office."

Norman George