The Solomon Islands parliamentary opposition has deplored the appointment of an Australian lawyer, Julian Moti, to be the country's new attorney general.
The opposition MPs in their meeting in Honiara today described Mr Moti's appointment as a slap in the face to domestic lawyers.
They say it is not acceptable that a foreign lawyer is taking over the post from the current attorney general, Primo Afeau.
They maintain that Mr Afeau remains the country's legitimate attorney general because the post has never become vacant nor has it been advertised to enable other lawyers to apply.
The meeting accuses the government of selling the country's sovereignty with Mr Moti's appointment.
The opposition also fears that being a foreign lawyer, he could indulge in leaking cabinet secrets.
