26 Mar 2004

Cook Islands cabinet considers pardoning former late premier Albert Henry

1:42 pm on 26 March 2004

The Cook Islands Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton has indicated that cabinet is considering introducing legislation to pardon the Cook Islands Party's late leader, Albert Henry.

A former Premier, Albert Henry was convicted of electoral fraud in the late 1970s and stripped of his knighthood.

During an address at a function to celebrate the Cook Islands Party's 40th birthday, Dr Woonton said that Henry was one of the country's great sons and that a pardon would bring back honour to him.

And the Party's leader, Sir Geoffrey Henry, spoke of his cousin's involvement in the formation of the party and his importance in Cook Islands history.

However, Sir Geoffrey has declined to comment about the prospect of legislation pardoning Albert henry.