Deputy PM guilty of bribery

Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei has become the third cabinet minister in a space of aweek to lose his seat in parliament, following a Supreme Court ruling yesterday. Tei was found guilty of bribery during the campaign for Tonga’s general election last November. Lastweek successful election petitions were filed against the former prime minister, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, and Internal Affairs Minister Sangstar Saulala, and both were found guilty of bribing voters while campaigning last year. Finance Minister Tatafu Moeaki was also found guilty of bribery. All the petitions were filed by members of Tonga’s former ruling political party, Patoa. Tonga’s parliament was supposed to sit on May 16, but the sitting has been postponed as a result of the latest ruling.– RNZ