PARLIAMENTARY Privileges Committee chairwoman Veena Bhatnagar turned down proposals for more witnesses to give evidence on a matter of privilege against Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Opposition MP Pio Tikoduadua, according to the committee’s verbatim report of September 5.
It is alleged that on August 9, Mr Bainimarama manhandled Mr Tikoduadua outside Parliament.
Mr Bainimarama had claimed before that that he was personally attacked by Mr Tikoduadua inside Parliament.
Committee member and Opposition MP Adi Litia Qionibaravi had suggested that her colleague, the Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, and other bodyguards be summoned to give evidence before the committee.
She claimed that Ratu Suliano might have witnessed the alleged incident alongside other bodyguards who were with Mr Bainimarama.
“I would just like to be noted that I had requested for other witnesses which was not agreed to yesterday, Tui Namosi and some other bodyguards of the Prime Minister,” Adi Litia said.
Mrs Bhatnagar then directed Adi Litia to provide the names of the bodyguards whom she wished to bring in as possible witnesses.
“You should have given the names so that we could have summoned them because we do not know whether they are around or not,” Mrs Bhatnagar directed.
