PM stands by Judge Ashton-Lewis appointment

Supreme Court Judge Justice David Ashton-Lewis was appointed to preside over the Commission of Inquiry (Col) be­cause he was already a sitting judge in Fiji.

This was Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's response when ques­tioned on allegations surrounding the credentials of Justice Ashton ­Lewis, now the subject of a police complaint lodged by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

The JSC members are implicated in the controversial Col report for their alleged involvement in the illegal appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.

"We did not appoint him, and he was not appointed because he was a KC or anything like that. He was appointed because he was already a sitting judge in the courts of Fiji," Mr Rabuka said.

"As far as Cabinet was concerned, he was already sitting as a judge, and the requirement in the law is to be qualified as a judge. His cre­dentials should have been exam­ined by those who appointed him to the Fiji courts."

Mr Rabuka said the appointment of Justice Ashton-Lewis to the Col proceedings did not require him to present his credentials.

"He was already qualified as a judge according to those who made the appointment."

Mr Rabuka emphasised that his friendship with Justice Ashton­Lewis did not influence the ap­pointment.

"No, I just told the Attorney-Gen­eral at the time that I know him. He passed a judgment against my position in court. It was about, I think, a case involving Butadroka.

"He took the Government to court, so I appeared for the Gov­ernment, and he ruled against the Government in favour of Butadro­ka. Nothing more than that. It is a matter of respect I have for all judges."

Mr Rabuka said the allegations against Justice Ashton-Lewis did not nullify the findings of the Col.