Rarotonga: PM's Office Says Report 'Irresponsible'

Rarotonga: PM's Office Says Report 'Irresponsible'

AVARUA, Rarotonga (Avaiki Blogspot/Pacific Media Watch): Adviser Trevor Pitt suggests there is an innocent explanation for the official car of the Cook Islands prime minister being seen at the home of a former chief-of-staff currently serving prison time on corruption charges.

Sighting "of the car at the [Eddie] Drollett residence (at any time) is purely due to the fact that the driver resides in the complex and undertakes duties outside of the normal working hours," Pitt told Avaiki Nius Agency.

He was reponding to email questions from the agency which sighted the car turning into the Drollett residence late last month.

"This has nothing to do whatsoever with the owner of the property, nor is there any suggestion of some type of link between the Prime Minister himself and Edward Drollett.

"To assume otherwise would be irresponsible and rather short-sighted," said Pitt.

He was today reported by daily Cook Islands News as saying it was "sad" that the agency opted to run a story on this website "without giving the office a chance to reply."

© Scoop Media