8 Dec 2006

Top Fiji public servant denies corruption allegations

5:37 pm on 8 December 2006

The chairman of Fiji's public service commission sacked by the military this week, Stuart Huggett, has denied allegations of corruption.

The military commander, Commodore Bainimarama, said last night that a corruption investigation team would investigate Mr Huggett's company, Architects Pacific, which had applied to build a new 24-million US dollar prison complex outside Suva.

He said Mr Huggett had breached the public service code of conduct and should have either withdrawn from the bidding process for the new prisons complex or resigned from chair of two key public service bodies.

Mr Huggett left Fiji as the corruption allegations were levelled.

But he has old Radio Legend from Australia that all business dealings in relation to the new prison by his company Architects Pacific were handled by his business partner.

Mr Huggett has denied abusing his office saying no contracts were issued, but would not comment further.