Govt Statement On Attorney General’s Resignation

Government Statement On Attorney General’s Resignation

“The Attorney General, Mr. John Cauchi, has submitted his resignation over issues upon which he and the Government may have different or incompatible views.

“The inspiration of politically motivated criticism of the Government on the grounds of systemic failure, which mysteriously surfaced in the report of the Ashika Commission, now appears to be revealed. The same intemperate assertions are churlishly regurgitated in the Attorney General’s publicity statement.

“When Mr. John Cauchi was appointed he was granted powers which proved eventually beyond his abilities properly to exercise. He had also frequently tested the Government’s patience and forbearance by interfering in matters that were not within his purview.

“Tonga is a very old country. Its institutions were defined and established by Tongans. The reform process is a matter to be decided only by Tongans.

“The strengthening of the justice and legal sector is indeed central to the current reforms being undertaken by the Government of Tonga. Furthermore, Government has also decided to upgrade the judicial services into the Office of the Lord Chancellor.

“While the Government regrets the departure of Mr. John Cauchi and wishes him well in the future, it continues to believe that the dignity of the high office of Attorney General may only be maintained by dignified restraint and is degraded by inappropriate activism.”

Ends

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