Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Former MP says Solomon Islands sex scandal allegations major issue at heart of government

Posted at 22:53 on 10 January, 2013 UTC

A former Solomon Islands MP says the sexual misconduct allegations surrounding the prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo are a major issue at the heart of government.

Allegations that Mr Lilo paid compensation over an extra-marital affair first appeared on a Facebook page of the group Forum Solomon Islands International and were then reproduced in the Solomon Star newspaper.

The Forum has lodged a case against Mr Lilo with the Leadership Code Commission and Mr Lilo is taking defamation action against both the group and the paper.

Alfred Sasako, a minister in previous governments, says the case to be heard by the Commission, whose head is appointed by the prime minister himself, will test its neutrality and independence.

“It seemed to be in the past that they dealt with some leaders severely, others, they put their cases on back burners. And I don’t expect the Leadership Code Commission now that it is under a new head that they should continue in the way that they had been conducting their business.”

Alfred Sasako says the country’s politicians should make 2013 the year they determine to do the right thing by everyone.