The deputy speaker of Papua New Guinea's Parliament is no longer an MP after the National Court found him guilty of bribery and declared his 2012 election victory null and void.
Justice Ere Kariko found Gordon Wesley guilty of one of five bribery allegations levelled against him by the runner up in the race for his Milne Bay electorate, Isi Henry Leonard.
The Post Courier reports that during the 2012 election campaign, Mr Wesley gifted a vehicle purchased with public funds to Bagalina village in a way which amounted to bribery.
Justice Kariko questioned why Mr Wesley travelled on a barge with the vehicle and other District Services Improvement Programme goods, saying the barge was used as a campaign vessel rather than public transport.
He said the barge was decorated with Mr Wesley's election posters and he had a live band on board to attract crowds.
