4 Mar 2010

Tonga court restricts reporting Dalgety case

6:21 pm on 4 March 2010

A Tongan magistrate has placed a restriction on what media can report about the court proceedings against Lord Ramsay Dalgety.

Lord Dalgety, who is the company secretary of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, which had operated the Princess Ashika, is facing a perjury charge.

He was arrested at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre last Friday after giving evidence at the commission of inquiry into the sinking of the ferry.

The Matangi Tonga website reports that at a bail hearing on Wednesday, Magistrate Sione 'Etika, said any reporting beyond what is on the court orders will be deemed as a contempt of court.

Lord Dalgety is on bail and had to surrender his passport.