Issue No: 109; 13 October 2000

The High Court has ruled that the extra privileges granted to terrorists George Speight and his band be withdrawn.

In his ruling on appeal against the Chief Magistrate's decision, Justice Peter Surman sated that the Magistrate had no jurisdiction to make any order on privileges that were binding on the Commissioner of Prisons.

Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo had decided earlier that Speight and his band should have access to mobile phones, private doctors, and extended visits by relatives paid for by the state. He had also allowed a father's day picnic lunch on the makeshift island prison of Nukulau.

The ruling by Justice Surman has been welcomed by the Peoples Coalition.

END

13 October 2000.