Political changes were within the law

TONGA – A former prime minister has hit back at allegations made last week by Tonga’s current prime minister that political reforms were made in 2010 without the approval of parliament.

Matangi Tonga reports a claim made by ‘Akilisi Pohiva that Lord Sevele and his government transferred executive power to the King in Privy Council without the approval of parliament, had been described as “a very serious allegation”.

Sevele, recognised that Pohiva had since been corrected by his adviser, Lopeti Senituli, but said he still believed it was a serious allegation for a leader of a country to publicly claim that the Constitution was amended illegally.

Sevele said all political changes that took place when he was Prime Minister followed the process that was outlined by the law and were finalised by the House.

He countered the claim by Pohiva that the power to appoint the attorney general, police commissioner and select judges were executive powers that should be with cabinet, but were illegally transferred to the Privy Council. - RNZI