18 Jan 2012

Inaction prompts call for Vanuatu public prosecutor to go

4:04 pm on 18 January 2012

A former Vanuatu prime minister, Edward Natapei, has called for the Public Prosecutor, Kayleen Tavoa, to resign.

This follows her failure to attend the proceedings in a case against a government minister, Don Ken.

As a consequence, charges of assaulting police officers were dropped and the case was discontinued.

Mr Natapei says allowing someone to walk free despite the serious charges warrants her immediate sacking for gross negligence.

He says her inaction raises questions about the reputation and credibility of her office and its role in the judicial process in Vanuatu.

This is the second time within a year that a government minister has been acquitted of serious assault charges.