France's constitutional council has rejected the campaign accounts of a leading New Caledonian politician and declared him ineligible for public office for three years.
It found that Jean-Pierre Djaiwe of the pro-independence FLNKS Movement failed to give a proper account of gifts he received during last year's campaign for a seat in the French National Assembly.
This means Mr Djaiwe, who is the vice-president of the northern province, won't be able to stand in next year's teritorial election.
Mr Djaiwe was narrowly defeated by Philippe Gomes, who is the leader of teh anti-independence Caledonia Together Party.
