12 Aug 2019

Fiji speaker to view footage of alleged assault by PM

5:58 pm on 12 August 2019

Fiji's Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will view CCTV footage following an alleged altercation between Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and Opposition MP Pio Tikoduadua at the parliamentary complex last week.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Photo: Fiji Ministry of Information

According to the Fiji Times, the Parliament secretariat said the area has surveillance cameras and would have captured the alleged incident.

Mr Tikoduadua claims the prime minister threatened and assaulted him.

Pio Tikoduadua

Pio Tikoduadua Photo: CC BY-SA 4.0

He said he has lodged a complaint with the police and will produce a medical report.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama told Fiji Village he only spoke to Mr Tikoduadua sternly for personally attacking him.

The PM said Mr Tikoduadua then allegedly squeezed and broke his own spectacles.

Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said he would not comment as the matter was being investigated.