20 Mar 2006

Solomons minister fined for extramarital affair

10:21 am on 20 March 2006

The Solomon Islands Leadership Code Commission says the charges against Kwaio MP Alfred Sasako are not politically motivated.

Alfred Sasako was fined by the commission for demeaning his office by having an extramarital affair.

Mr Sasko said earlier he believes the action is politically motivated to tarnish his image, but the chairman of the leadership code commission, Emmanuel Kouhota, rejects this.

"The leadership code commission is an independent body, that is not involved in politics. Whatever he says, is what he says, there is no thruth in what he says. We treat all leaders in the same way. We expect him to say that because the election is close. So any leader who is charged by the commission would say the same thing."