Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya has confirmed she is under investigation after a written complaint was made against her by a member of her party, The People’s Alliance party.
Ms Tabuya was responding to queries after the party released a statement which said its executive council, which met on Monday, had deliberated on a written complaint about the conduct of a senior member.
She said as the party’s deputy leader, she was prepared to subject herself to the party’s constitutional process.
In addition, Ms Tabuya said she had been referred to The People’s Alliance Legal and National Disciplinary Sub-Committee.
“I am subjected to the party constitution and as deputy party leader, it is my duty to set the example and comply with the supreme law of our party,” Ms Tabuya said.
“No one is above the law and if I have breached a provision of the constitution, I have the right to defend myself. “That is the due process afforded in law.
“The constitution is clear that a party member can file a complaint against another party member, and I welcome the decision of the People’s Executive Council to refer the complaint to the Legal and Disciplinary Subcommittee of the party.”
When questioned whether she had been informed of what the allegations were, she said she was unaware.
“I have just been informed there is a complaint against me and that the legal and disciplinary sub committee is looking into it.”
She added she had not spoken to party leader, Sitiveni Rabuka on the complaint but stated that it was a disciplinary matter only to be dealt with by the appropriate sub committee as stipulated in the party’s constitution.
Party general secretary Usaia Waqatairewa said he could not disclose the nature of the allegations but confirmed that the complaint was received by the party last week.
Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica confirmed the complaint came from a member of the party. He says the party will follow due process.
“There is only report of disciplinary in our party and that is the one we’ve disclosed from The People’s Alliance perspective, the party is unified and very much behind the Prime Minister,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“We’ve got another year of serving our people and we are committed and focused to that and is the basis on which we will continue to work.”
