19 Apr 2011

Solomons PM says two sacked ministers still loyal

6:51 pm on 19 April 2011

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister says two of the ministers he sacked in a cabinet reshuffle have already pledged their loyalty to the government.

Danny Philip says he sacked six ministers yesterday because they'd created political instability by switching between the opposition and the government.

He says he's replaced them with former opposition MPs who recently joined the government ranks because they're more mature and stable.

The opposition says it's watching to see whether the dumped ministers will now cross the floor.

Danny Philip says anything can happen in Melanesian politics, but the sacked Public Service Minister Stanley Sofu and Police Minister James Tora have already offered him support.

"It's expected that when a minister is revoked of his responsibilities the natural place for him to go is to the opposition. However two sacked ministers came back to pledge very strong support to the government again."

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Philip