PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there is no need to investigate allegations that former attorney-general Siromi Turaga’s phone was hacked, saying the incident does not change the nature of the alleged act.
“Hacked or not, the act was the act,” Mr Rabuka said.
Meanwhile, The People’s Alliance party senior official and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has described Mr Turaga as a valuable contributor to the country, acknowledging the difficulties he and his family may face following the circulation of an explicit video allegedly involving him.
Mr Kamikamica said there had been numerous social media postings about the incident and that Mr Turaga’s privacy should be respected.
“I know it will be tough for him and his family,” he said.
“But he certainly has been a significant contributor to what Government’s been doing over the past few years.”
Mr Kamikamica credited Mr Turaga and his team with contributing to legislation passed by Parliament, saying not all of the work had been conducted under Standing Order 51.
He declined to comment further on the incident, saying he wished Mr Turaga well.
“He’s still an MP and I’m sure he’ll be contributing from the floor of Parliament.
“The Prime Minister also invited him to sit on the Constitutional Committee because it’s quite important that we round off that work as well.”
On the party’s preparations for the next general election, Mr Kamikamica said all The People’s Alliance party members had faced difficulties, noting that he had also been required to stand down.
“There is a vetting committee who will assess applicants, but no one is guaranteed a position.”
Mr Kamikamica confirmed he intended to contest the next general election, saying there was still much work to be done.
