Tribunal says Somare can remain prime minister during misconduct hearing

A leadership tribunal has ruled Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister can continue as the country’s leader while it hears allegations of misconduct against him, Radio New Zealand International reports.

The three-member tribunal bench has decided two-to-one in favour of Sir Michael Somare remaining in the top job.

The tribunal is into its third day of hearing 25 allegations that the Prime Minister failed to complete or did not file financial statements from as far back as 20 years ago.

From the witness box Sir Michael has told a packed courtroom he had always submitted his financial records to the Ombudsman Commission.

But the Prime Minister also said that missing financial statements central to the prosecution’s case could have been lost when he moved office or changed jobs, or been lost by a staff member.

Sir Michael was also asked about his financial earnings relating to his statements, and said he never received any extra pay.