10 May 2006

Solomon Islands MPs speak out in parliament over who's to blame for riots

3:15 pm on 10 May 2006

The Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Job Duddley Tausinga, has questioned the credibility of the Police Commissioner.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Tausinga questioned Shane Castle's credibility following his failure to contain the looting and torching of Chinatown's commercial centre in Honiara last month.

And, an opposition MP, Daniel Enele Kwanairara, from North Malaita, has accused the current government of using youths for their own political ends in the riots last month.

Mr Kwanairara says politicians used his youths from his constituency in the 2000 coup and again in last month's riots.

He says many of these people are now in jail while the leaders who had used them, remain free.

The Police minister, Charles Dausabea, and one other Honiara MP, Nelson Ne'e, remain in custody over charges of inciting the riot.

Meanwhile the hearing of a fresh bail application by Mr Ne'e, has been adjourned until May 24th.

The hearing was adjourned when Mr Ne'e's lawyers said they needed to study a medical report on the health of the applicant.