Move to kick Solomons PM out of party invalid: AG

radionz – The Solomon Islands attorney general says a decision to revoke the party membership of the prime minister is invalid.

 

Pacnews reported James Apaniai saying that, in his opinion, the United Democratic Party president Sir Thomas Chan did not comply with the regulations of the Political Parties Integrity Act or his party’s own constitution when he terminated prime minister Manasseh Sogavare’s party membership earlier this month.

Mr Apaniai said according to the UDP’s constitution only a disciplinary committee can terminate an individual’s party membership.

He said there were also no charges laid against Mr Sogavare which is required by both the Political Party Integrity Act regulations as well as the UDP party’s constitution.

The attorney general said the original decision was reached after discussions between the executives of the three government coalition parties which he said was also wrong as party membership is an internal matter.

Mr Apaniai also clarified that the status of Mr Sogavare’s party membership had no bearing on his position as prime minister.