Speaker Lord Fakafanua has denied reports that a motion to impeach seven cabinet ministers including the Prime Minister has been scheduled to be discussed in the House.
He also denied “false information” being circulated on social and news media that Members of Parliament will immediately be impeached as a result of a vote on the Auditor General’s Special Report.
The House will reconvene at 10:00am tomorrow Thursday 8 and there was no agenda to debate on any impeachment as alleged, a statement said.
“The Office of the Speaker wishes to clarify that, to date, it has not received any motion for impeachment of any of the Members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister or any of his Cabinet Ministers,” it said.
“There are requirements in the Rules and Standing orders of the Legislative that needs to be fulfilled before submitting any motion to impeach any Member of Parliament.
“Such a motion must be according to Clause 75 of the Constitution and Clause 87 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.”
It said a report after a Press Conference with the Prime Minister said “that the final decision for the House to proceed and impeach the Prime Minister and six Cabinet Ministers rested with the Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua.”
“Again the office wishes to reiterate that this is incorrect as there has been no motion for impeachment and any outcome of the debate on the Auditor’s Report will not automatically result in the impeachment of Members of Parliament.”
