The Privileges Committee has unanimously found that National Federation Party Opposition MP Tupou Draunidalo has contravened Standing Order 62(4)(a) and (d).

The Privileges Committee has  recommended that Ms Draunidalo must formally apologise in Parliament while undergoing formal censure and before leaving the precincts – to the following – (i) Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts; and (ii) the people of Fiji, the apology must reflect the severity of the breach and the fact that it has had far-reaching effects and gone viral on social media here and abroad.

The Privileges Committee further recommended that  the apology format should also recognise that Mr Reddy did not in fact utter the words “dumb natives.” That Ms Draunidalo be suspended for the remainder of the term of Parliament, with immediate effect from 03 June 2016 upon tendering of the apology and censure by Parliament.

Further to this, during the period of suspension, Ms Draunidalo is not allowed to enter the parliamentary precincts including the Opposition Office. Immediately upon her suspension, Ms Draunidalo must be ordered to leave the precincts of Parliament and to remain outside of Parliament precincts if she fails to comply with any of the above, that necessary enforcement measures must be imposed to ensure compliance.

Ms Draunidalo during Wednesday’s sitting interjected Mr Reddy’s remarks on free tuition for tertiary schools motion by calling him ‘a fool’.

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum raised a point of order on this.

Ms Draunidalo then interjected again and while referring to Mr Reddy said: “And, he provided worse in his speech, calling us “dumb natives, you idiot”.

Speaker Dr Jiko Luveni yesterday referred the matter to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee after ruling that such comments could incite “feelings of ill will within communities”.