A senior Cook Islands government official says a kitchen fire in the prime minister's office could be linked to a person who had a history of violent crime in New Zealand and had been jailed in maximum security prisons.
The prime ministers office Chief Executive, Piho Rua, says the person he suspects of arson had approached him last year for advice on bugging the office and mentioned the possibility of blowing it up with expolsives.
Mr Rua was a police inspector before being appointed to his government post in February.
His comments come after the government expressed concern that confidential cabinet information was being leaked to a weekly newspaper.
In investigation into the leaks is underway and Mr Rua says an attempt may have been made to destroy the office so the information leaks could not be traced.
Meanwhile, the Airport Authority Crash Fire has completed an investigation into the cause of the fire but won't release details until clearance is obtained from the government.
