19 Feb 2013

Tonga police say 172 people got records cleared for overseas travel

2:37 pm on 19 February 2013

Tonga's Police Commissioner, Grant O'Fee, says the criminal records of 172 people have been cleared.

A search of all Tonga police records was made after revelations last week that police officers had cleared the records of former criminals wanting to obtain visitors' visas into New Zealand or Australia.

The Commissioner says action will be taken in relation to the officers involved once he has a report from the Solicitor General.

Mr O'Fee says close co-operation is being offered to the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions.