17 Jun 2011

Vanuatu interim PM lays perjury complaint against MPs

4:25 pm on 17 June 2011

Vanuatu's caretaker prime minister Edward Natapei has lodged a complaint of perjury with police over allegations of lying about the election of the former prime minister, Sato Kilman.

Vanuatu's Chief Justice appointed Mr Natapei as interim prime minister, after declaring last December's election of Sato Kilman to be null and void.

The complaint involves Mr Kilman, the former finance minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil, the former justice minister Ralph Regenvanu, the former minister of public utlities Harry Iauko and the former education minister, Marcelino Pepite.

Mr Natapei says his complaint also includes a lawyer, Georges Boar, who helped the ministers write their sworn statements.

He says he's asked the police commissioner to assemble a team to investigate the matter.

"We will be providing witnesses and providing copies of the statements that were sworn in by the former prime minister and his team in the lead up to the case that was heard by the chief justice yesterday."

Vanuatu's caretaker prime minister, Edward Natapei.