23 Feb 2007

Fiji interim government has no plans to rehire Ridgway for corruption probes

4:42 pm on 23 February 2007

Fjii's interim administration says there are no plans to hire the ousted deputy director of public prosecutions to help with their clean-up campaign.

The interim attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum, made the comment after Australian Peter Ridgway flew into Fiji last night and visited the state prosecutions office and the interim government's Corruption Investigation Unit.

Mr Ridgway's contract was cancelled by the Qarase government without explanation in mid 2005 and he was ordered to eave the country within 24 hours or face deportation.

He was the chief prosecutor in the 2000 coup cases which led to the conviction and jailing of high profile figures such as the former vice president, Ratu Jope Seniloli.

Investigations have begun into a medical report which led to the early release of Ratu Jope by the then Attorney General, Qoriniasi Bale, on a compulsory supervision order.

But Mr Sayed-Khayum says Mr Ridgway's already committed.

"Peter Ridgway is tied to a contract at the University of Woollongong. He has an interest in Fiji. He's not in any way going to be hired in any capacity by any of the institutions in the government of Fiji."

Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum.

Mr Ridgway indicated in an interview with the ABC last month that he would be interested in returning to finish the job.