Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde has said that his salary has once again been suspended following a decision by the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to refer complaints against him to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
In a statement released on Monday, Mr Pryde revealed that he received a letter dated July 25 from the President, advising him of the JSC’s decision and noting that because he had not returned to Fiji, his salary would remain suspended.
Mr Pryde, currently residing in New Zealand, said he has responded to the President, expressing serious concerns about what he describes as a “breach of the Constitution.”
He argued that the President had been misled by his legal advisors and that the advice he received was legally flawed.
“I pointed out to His Excellency that he has been misled as to the law and, consequently, his legal advisors have induced him to breach the Constitution by suspending my salary and refusing to determine the matter independently,” Mr Pryde said.
“I urged His Excellency to seek alternative legal advice,” Mr Pryde said.
As of today, Mr Pryde confirmed he has yet to receive a reply to his letter.
Formal charges were laid against Mr Pryde by FICAC on Monday.
