An arrest warrant has been issued for Papua New Guinea's former prime minister, the Ialibu-Pangia MP, Peter O'Neill.
But PNG's acting police commissioner David Manning has said Mr O'Neill has so far refused to co-operate with police over investigations into alleged corruption.
Johnny Blades has been following events.
Peter O'Neill
Photo: Supplied
Transcript
JB: Police investigators probing a corruption case were granted a warrant for Peter O'Neill's arrest by the district court last Friday. PNG's police commissioner David Manning...says the former prime minister has been holed up in a Port Moresby hotel, effectively denying the police request for him to go in for questioning.
JT: What has Peter O'Neill had to say about all this?
Mr O'Neill has issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and saying he is available to police. He characterised the case, relating to spending on a health clinic in Madang, as a power play engineered by his political opponent, Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
JT: This is not the first time police have sought to arrest Mr O'Neill in relation to a corruption case. But they didn't get far with previous attempts...previously he was able to successfully challenge the validity of the warrant in court.
But, that was before he was replaced as prime minister in May, with the new government of James Marape elevating Mr Kramer and others who are targeting high level corruption to leading roles.
JT: Is it too early to write O'Neill off?
I think so... he's resourceful.
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