Opposition Members walked out of Parliament after their motion to amend the recommendations by the Privileges Committee was defeated last night.

The recommendations by the Committee were:

-That the Prime Minister and Pio Tikoduadua immediately issue their apologies in Parliament yesterday; and

-If the Prime Minister and Pio Tioduadua fail to do so, that they be suspended from Parliament for a period of six months, with immediate effect from September 6, 2019.

However, Opposition Members raised the motion which calls for the Prime Minister to apologise to Parliament and to the nation and be suspended for two years given the gravity of the breach of privilege and the high office he holds.

After a heated debate, Parliament voted and the motion was defeated with 27 Nos, 23 Ayes and 1 did not vote.

National Federation Party Leader Biman Prasad last night told the Fiji Sun that they had said from the beginning that they did not believe in the process.

He said the reason for their walkout was because they did not want to be voting on a report that they did not agree to in the first place.

SODELPA president Ro Filipe Tuisawau said they did not agree with the basis of the committee.

Referring to the two-year suspension penalties of Ratu Naiqama, Tupou Draunidalo and the others, he said with this case, the severity was more and the penalty was less.

“We do not want to be part of the decision.”

Edited by Susana Tuilau

Feedback: selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj