Tonga's justice minister, Clive Edwards, has told parliament that referring to life peers as fake nobles is quite unreasonable.
The life peers were appointed by the late King in recognition of years of committed service to the Kingdom.
Mr Edwards was responding to a report by the opposition leader Akilisi Pohiva who said people in his constituency wished to put an end to the appointment of life peers.
According to Radio Tonga, Mr Pohiva noted that hereditary nobles earned their titles as their ancestors were warriors and had made great achievements.
Mr Edwards says Mr Pohiva's stance is appalling and disrespectful because he is asking the King to stop such appointments.
