2 Dec 2004

Fiji police commissioner wants to keep force out of politics

10:23 am on 2 December 2004

Fiji's police commissioner, Andrew Hughes, has warned the country's politicians not to use police for political mileage in their campaign for the 2006 general election.

The Daily Post says Mr Hughes has told politicians to stop making unsubstantiated claims against one another.

Mr Hughes says police have been receiving all kinds of allegations from certain politicians but initial assessments reveal many of them are baseless as there is no corroborative evidence

He says police have a role to play in maintaining law and order, and NOT help politicians win elections.

Mr Hughes has confirmed receiving a report on Fiji's high commissioner to Malaysia, Adi Samanunu Talakuli Cakobau, one of likely candidates for the vacant post of vice president.

It is alleged she played a role in supporting the coup when she called a meeting of middle level chiefs in parliament to endorse George Speight's actions.

Mr Hughes says an initial assessment found nothing substantial against her and she is not under police investigation.