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RNZ News
7 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fiji's top prosecutor remains in self-imposed exile in NZ while earning six-figure salary
Christopher Pryde Photo: Christopher Pryde A senior Fijian public official remains in self-imposed exile in Christchurch, despite continuing to receive a six-figure government salary since his reinstatement. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called out New Zealander Christopher Pryde, the country's director of public prosecutions, for failing to turn up to work for almost seven months since his [ reinstatement in January. Rabuka said that since Pryde's reinstatment, he has been nowhere to be found, all the while earning FJ$250,000 (approximately NZ$184,000) per year. Pryde was reinstated following a suspension in April 2023 , pending an investigation into "allegations of misbehaviour" by the country's head of state, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, under direction of Prime Minister Rabuka. The Otago-educated lawyer has held the Offfice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) since 2011, during which time he laid charges against former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and the then-Police Commissioner at the time, Sitiveni Qiliho. After his reinstatement, Pryde suspended the then-acting DPP Laisani Tabuakuro on 29 January over "insolent, grossly discourteous" comments. "I have reviewed, in particular, a number of public statements you have made at various times without authorisation and which have caused reputational damage to the [ODPP] and brought the office into disrepute," Pryde wrote in a letter dated 30 January. "I also note public statements you have made against me personally and the manner in which you have addressed me in email correspondence, all of which I regard as inappropriate and insolent, The last of which led to your suspension." In a statement on 10 April, Pryde said that the removal was undone by now acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva, who shortly after his resinstatement, filed her own complaints against him. Pryde is now refusing to return to Fiji until the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) - the body that appoints and removes judges - issues a decision on Tikoisuva's complaints. "I am ready to return to work, but I have insisted that the JSC give me a clear undertaking that I will not be immediately suspended and my salary cut upon my return to Fiji. "I spent nearly two years under suspension and seven months without a salary (before his reinstatement) in breach of natural justice." Pryde said that he wrote to Rabuka about his concerns. This week, Rabuka posted on Facebook saying that he had "expressed serious concern" over Pryde's absence. "I will have to find out why he has not been called and whether it is a matter for the Constitutional Offices Commission to consider again."
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Fiji's top prosecutor still in self-imposed exile in Chch
By Kaya Selby of RNZ A senior Fijian public official remains in self-imposed exile in Christchurch, despite continuing to receive a six-figure government salary since his reinstatement. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called out New Zealander Christopher Pryde, the country's director of public prosecutions, for failing to turn up to work for almost seven months since his reinstatement in January. Rabuka said that since Pryde's reinstatment, he has been nowhere to be found, all the while earning FJ$250,000 (approximately NZ$184,000) per year. Pryde was reinstated following a suspension in April 2023, pending an investigation into "allegations of misbehaviour" by the country's head of state, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, under direction of Prime Minister Rabuka. The Otago-educated lawyer has held the Offfice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) since 2011, during which time he laid charges against former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and the then-Police Commissioner at the time, Sitiveni Qiliho. After his reinstatement, Pryde suspended the then-acting DPP Laisani Tabuakuro on 29 January over "insolent, grossly discourteous" comments. "I have reviewed, in particular, a number of public statements you have made at various times without authorisation and which have caused reputational damage to the [ODPP] and brought the office into disrepute," Pryde wrote in a letter dated 30 January. "I also note public statements you have made against me personally and the manner in which you have addressed me in email correspondence, all of which I regard as inappropriate and insolent, The last of which led to your suspension." In a statement on 10 April, Pryde said that the removal was undone by now acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva, who shortly after his resinstatement, filed her own complaints against him. Pryde is now refusing to return to Fiji until the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) - the body that appoints and removes judges - issues a decision on Tikoisuva's complaints. "I am ready to return to work, but I have insisted that the JSC give me a clear undertaking that I will not be immediately suspended and my salary cut upon my return to Fiji. "I spent nearly two years under suspension and seven months without a salary (before his reinstatement) in breach of natural justice." Pryde said that he wrote to Rabuka about his concerns. This week, Rabuka posted on Facebook saying that he had "expressed serious concern" over Pryde's absence. "I will have to find out why he has not been called and whether it is a matter for the Constitutional Offices Commission to consider again."
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Lehrmann pushes to stop rape trial
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has taken a dramatic step to halt his upcoming rape trial, filing an application that alleges police unlawfully recorded conversations with his legal team. The 29-year-old former Liberal Party staffer was charged with two counts of rape over an alleged incident in Toowoomba in October 2021. Mr Lehrmann's Sydney-based lawyer, Zali Burrows, lodged a fresh application in the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, requesting a permanent stay of proceedings. It followed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) filing an affidavit last Friday that the defence argues failed to include all relevant material in the case. Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been charged with two counts of rape. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia The matter was briefly mentioned in the Ipswich District Court on Wednesday, as the Toowoomba District Court was not sitting. Mr Lehrmann and Ms Burrows both appeared via phone. The permanent stay application stems from allegations that police unlawfully recorded phone calls with Mr Lehrmann's lawyer. According to the defence, an officer failed to initially disclose six items, including four audio recordings of conversations between her and Mr Lehrmann's former legal representative, two recordings involving the alleged victim, and one with a witness. Judge Dennis Lynch ordered all material the parties intend to rely on, including affidavits and written submissions, to be filed by July 14 for the applicant and July 21 for the respondent. He adjourned the case to the previously scheduled date of July 25 when the permanent stay application will be heard alongside a separate defence application for full disclosure of police material. Mr Lehrmann's lawyer Zali Burrows said the prosecution failed to initially disclose six items. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia While Queensland law permits individuals to record conversations they are a party to, NSW law, where all of Mr Lehrmann's legal representatives are based, requires consent from all parties or specific exemptions. In May, Ms Burrows lodged an application seeking full disclosure of all material in the Queensland Police Service's possession. The ODPP's affidavit filed last week was in response to that request. If the permanent stay application succeeds, the rape charges against Mr Lehrmann could be dropped. Mr Lehrmann's bail was formally extended, and the matter is scheduled to be heard on July 25 at the Toowoomba District Court. He has indicted that he will defend the charges but is yet to enter any pleas.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lehrmann pushes to stop rape trial
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has taken a dramatic step to halt his upcoming rape trial, filing an application that alleges police unlawfully recorded conversations with his legal team. The 29-year-old former Liberal Party staffer was charged with two counts of rape over an alleged incident in Toowoomba in October 2021. Mr Lehrmann's Sydney-based lawyer, Zali Burrows, lodged a fresh application in the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, requesting a permanent stay of proceedings. It followed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) filing an affidavit last Friday that the defence argues failed to include all relevant material in the case. The matter was briefly mentioned in the Ipswich District Court on Wednesday, as the Toowoomba District Court was not sitting. Mr Lehrmann and Ms Burrows both appeared via phone. The permanent stay application stems from allegations that police unlawfully recorded phone calls with Mr Lehrmann's lawyer. According to the defence, an officer failed to initially disclose six items, including four audio recordings of conversations between her and Mr Lehrmann's former legal representative, two recordings involving the alleged victim, and one with a witness. Judge Dennis Lynch ordered all material the parties intend to rely on, including affidavits and written submissions, to be filed by July 14 for the applicant and July 21 for the respondent. He adjourned the case to the previously scheduled date of July 25 when the permanent stay application will be heard alongside a separate defence application for full disclosure of police material. While Queensland law permits individuals to record conversations they are a party to, NSW law, where all of Mr Lehrmann's legal representatives are based, requires consent from all parties or specific exemptions. In May, Ms Burrows lodged an application seeking full disclosure of all material in the Queensland Police Service's possession. The ODPP's affidavit filed last week was in response to that request. If the permanent stay application succeeds, the rape charges against Mr Lehrmann could be dropped. Mr Lehrmann's bail was formally extended, and the matter is scheduled to be heard on July 25 at the Toowoomba District Court. He has indicted that he will defend the charges but is yet to enter any pleas.
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Bruce Lehrmann's lawyer alleges unlawful police recordings in bid to stop trial
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has taken a dramatic step to halt his upcoming rape trial, filing an application that alleges police unlawfully recorded conversations with his legal team. The 29-year-old former Liberal Party staffer was charged with two counts of rape over an alleged incident in Toowoomba in October 2021. Mr Lehrmann's Sydney-based lawyer, Zali Burrows, lodged a fresh application in the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, requesting a permanent stay of proceedings. It followed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) filing an affidavit last Friday that the defence argues failed to include all relevant material in the case. The matter was briefly mentioned in the Ipswich District Court on Wednesday, as the Toowoomba District Court was not sitting. Mr Lehrmann and Ms Burrows both appeared via phone. The permanent stay application stems from allegations that police unlawfully recorded phone calls with Mr Lehrmann's lawyer. According to the defence, an officer failed to initially disclose six items, including four audio recordings of conversations between her and Mr Lehrmann's former legal representative, two recordings involving the alleged victim, and one with a witness. Judge Dennis Lynch ordered all material the parties intend to rely on, including affidavits and written submissions, to be filed by July 14 for the applicant and July 21 for the respondent. He adjourned the case to the previously scheduled date of July 25 when the permanent stay application will be heard alongside a separate defence application for full disclosure of police material. While Queensland law permits individuals to record conversations they are a party to, NSW law, where all of Mr Lehrmann's legal representatives are based, requires consent from all parties or specific exemptions. In May, Ms Burrows lodged an application seeking full disclosure of all material in the Queensland Police Service's possession. The ODPP's affidavit filed last week was in response to that request. If the permanent stay application succeeds, the rape charges against Mr Lehrmann could be dropped. Mr Lehrmann's bail was formally extended, and the matter is scheduled to be heard on July 25 at the Toowoomba District Court. He has indicted that he will defend the charges but is yet to enter any pleas.
