Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, has made it clear that he will not resign or attend the tribunal hearing set for December 2. His refusal comes in light of what he deems an unjust suspension of his salary, which has impacted his capacity to secure legal representation.
Pryde has raised concerns regarding the fairness of the tribunal proceedings, pointing to a letter he received on November 21, which emphasized the need for the tribunal to be just. He argues that without access to his salary, he cannot adequately defend himself, thereby rendering the hearing inherently unfair. He also claims that this limitation violates both the President’s mandate for fairness and certain International Labour Organisation conventions that Fiji has ratified.
He criticized the Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, and the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) for their roles in sanctioning his salary suspension, arguing that their actions impede the tribunal process and display contempt for it. Pryde noted that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has voiced support for his call to reinstate his salary, suggesting a consensus that fairness in this situation is essential.
Pryde firmly stated he will not be intimidated into resigning or participating in the tribunal without the necessary resources to defend himself. He insists that until his salary and entitlements, which he believes are still valid under his contract, are restored, he cannot attend the tribunal.
In response to queries about the tribunal, JSC chairperson Temo indicated that proceedings are indeed set to commence in December but refrained from commenting further due to the ongoing nature of the tribunal.
This situation highlights the importance of fair legal representation and the crucial role of salary in maintaining a person’s ability to defend themselves in legal matters. As the tribunal date approaches, many will watch closely to see how this dispute unfolds and whether a resolution can be reached that allows for a fair hearing.
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