Minister charged

CHARGES have been laid against the spokesperson of New Caledonia’s government who is accused of receiving excessive allowances. Christopher Gyges, who last year became the economics minister, reportedly received a payout in 2014 when he changed his job as government advisor only to take up a new paid position within the administration. A former president Philippe Germain had alleged in 2015 there had been abuse of public funds. An investigation failed to identify abuse but established that undue payments were made, benefiting Mr Gyges. Mr Gyges has told the public broadcaster that the case is an attempt by rivals to settle a political score.