The Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, Parmesh Chand, testified during the tribunal hearing of suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde in Suva. Chand stated that it was highly unusual for Pryde to engage in discussions with former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, particularly since Sayed-Khaiyum was under investigation at that time.
Chand witnessed the two conversing for over 30 minutes during Emperor’s birthday celebrations held at the Japanese Embassy on February 28, 2023. He expressed that as a senior public servant, he would refrain from such interactions, as they could be misconstrued in an inappropriate context. He highlighted the risk of compromising the situation, given Pryde’s previous role as Solicitor-General, which placed him in a subordinate position to the Attorney-General.
Despite closely observing the conversation, Chand was unaware of the specifics of their discussion. It was reported that the dialogue was exclusive and uninterrupted. Chand stressed that the DPP should have exercised considerable caution, especially since the Criminal Investigation Department was actively investigating Sayed-Khaiyum at that time, a file of which was with Pryde’s office.
Furthermore, issues regarding Pryde’s remuneration were highlighted, with reports indicating he was receiving $1,000 per month in superannuation without the necessary approvals from the Judicial Services Commission, the Office of the Attorney-General, and the Office of the President.
The tribunal is currently considering allegations of misconduct and will ultimately advise His Excellency the President on the potential removal of Pryde from his DPP position. The hearing has been adjourned to a future date.
This case underscores the complexities faced in the intersections of law and ethics within government roles, and it stresses the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity in public service. Observations from this tribunal may serve as valuable lessons for governance practices going forward, reinforcing the need for clear boundaries and responsible conduct among officials, especially in sensitive investigations.
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