Police have charged a Tofoa man with arson offences, a TOP$75,121.55 cash theft, housebreaking, and willful damage.
Tonga Post Ltd. Photo/ Kalino Lātū/Kaniva Tonga News
Police reported that on the night of 3 July 2021, TOP$75,121.55 cash was removed from the Tonga Post’s Chief Executive’s office before the building was set ablaze.
A Police investigation found fingerprints at the crime scene which helped investigators identified the suspect.
The 35-year-old man was arrested and is being remanded in police custody until 30 May 2022, Police said.
Police investigation continues to locate others that involved in this crime and Tonga Police is calling on the public to contact Police on 922 or 7401660 if you have or know any information on this matter.
Vanuatu has confirmed its border will fully reopen from July 1 to fully-vaccinated international travellers with no quarantine or arrival caps.
From left to right : Air Vanuatu CEO, Mr. Atu Finau and Vanuatu Tourism CEO, Mrs. Adela Issachar Aru at the signing ceremony on Wed. 11 May 2022. Photo/Supplied
The announcement has brought together the country’s two important government organisations, the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) and Air Vanuatu.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been signed last week between the two organisations confirming an agreement to stick together so they can provide a safe place and flight for tourists who have plans to return to the country.
The agreement allows the two authorities to create domestic and international marketing campaigns to grow visitation and travel to Vanuatu, particularly in the New Caledonia, New Zealand and Australian markets.
Air Vanuatu Chief Executive Officer ‘Atu Fīnau has welcomed the partnership and said the Vanuatu airlines was looking forward to deliver the agreement.
“We see this partnership as proof that by working together, we can deliver so much more for Vanuatu. The goals of the Shared Vision partners [including Airports Vanuatu Ltd] to increase visitor numbers by 2030 and improve the brand positioning of Vanuatu in our overseas markets, are now more relevant than ever.” Finau said.
In a statement released by the VTO, it said it trust the agreement would definitely benefit the country.
“VTO assures other stakeholders that as it has a broader and overarching responsibility to the Vanuatu Tourism Industry and sector, to lead the coordination of tourism destination marketing efforts for both the international and domestic markets, the organisation will continue to work with other aviation partners on destination marketing activities”.
In March, Vanuatu announced 83 active Covid cases in the country, with one person requiring hospital-level care, reported One News.
It followed with the New Zealand’ government committing $1.5 million to support the Vanuatu government and was looking at sending further medical supplies in addition to five oxygen humidifiers that arrived there at the time.
COMMENTARY: Parliament has postponed its meeting scheduled for Monday 16 to unseat convicted Cabinet Ministers and MPs who had been found guilty of bribery.
Convicted Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei
The government has asked for more time to finish work on the budget estimates for the next financial year.
No date has been set for the next meeting of the Legislative Assembly.
It appears that convicted Finance Minister Tatafu Moeaki will stay in Parliament because the Prime Minister wanted him to finish the new budget before putting it to the house early next month. It seems the same thing will apply to convicted Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei. Convicted former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa will remain as Tongatapu 10 MP due to the deferral.
Lord Speaker Fakafanua has questions to answer
There are many questions here for the Speaker to answer given that the government does not appear to have learned anything from a precedent set for convicted MP and Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu last year. There are also questions about whether the convicted Parliamentarians will continue to be paid.
Last year convicted MP and Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu was told to sit down after she took the floor to announce her Minister of Infrastructure’s new annual budget.
Convicted Minister of Finance Tatafu Moeaki
Noble MP wants House to follow their conscience
Lord Tu’iha’angana asked the Speaker not to allow Lavulavu to speak in the House after her conviction as it would have breached the MPs’ oath to fulfill their duties with honesty.
At the time, the then Prime Minister insisted that Lavulavu had a right under Section 23 of the Constitution to remain in the House even after her conviction and she would continue to do so as she was appealing her conviction. As Kaniva News reported, this clause was eventually altered last year.
MPs swear before God
Nobles and people’s representatives have to swear: “I solemnly swear before God, that I will be truly loyal to His Majesty King Tupou VI, the rightful King of Tonga and that I will righteously and perfectly conform to and keep the Constitution of Tonga and zealously discharge my duties as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.”
Ministers have to swear: “I solemnly swear before God that I will be truly loyal to His Majesty Tupou VI the rightful King of Tonga and that I will keep righteously and perfectly the Constitution of Tonga and discharge the duties of my department to the end of my ability for the benefit of the King and his Government.”
Lord Tu’iha’anga told the House at the time of the Lavulavu incident that this was a matter for the MPs’ conscience. He said the constitution was clear, but his conscience was not, to see that the minister was convicted for fraud but was still allowed to speak in the House and debate the budget.
Lavulavu continues receiving payments after conviction
Akosita Lavulavu was convicted on June 4, 2021 and sentenced to jail for six years on July 2, 2021. She officially resigned on July 2. The then Minister for Finance Tevita Lavemaau, told the House Akosita’s pay and allowances were stopped on July 1. This meant she received full pay while she was in court for her court hearings and after she was convicted until her sentence on July 2.
Former Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu
One minister resigns for the sake of his conscience
Of all the Ministers convicted for bribery recently only one minister has resigned and that was Hon. Sangstar Saulala. He said he was advised by PM Hu’akavameiliku to continue in his ministerial post until Parliament formally unseated him, but that he wanted to respect the court decision as well as ministerial posts.
The Parliament’s role includes performing checks and balances on the government’s decision making, especially if there seems to be an issue with the law and constitution. In this case Parliament should ensure that the rules governing Parliamentarian’s behaviour and their right to stay in the House are enforced.
The Parliamentarians convicted of bribery should also think very hard about whether they should follow Hon. Saulala’s example and show respect for the Supreme Court’s decisions and their responsibility as MPs.
For more information
Fraudster Infrastructur Minister Akosita barred from speaking while announcing her 39 million new budget in Parliament
Tonga’s electoral corruption scandal has claimed yet another head as the Supreme Court found former Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei guilty of bribery and annulled his election victory.
Tei, the former Minister of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister stood against Mrs. Fane Fituafe. Tei was declared the winner and Mrs. Fituafe then brought an election petition before Judge Niu, claiming that Tei violated the electoral regulations either directly or by allowing another person, Saia Oenitani, to act on his behalf.
Fituafe claimed that the election was invalid because Tei had contravened Section 21 of the Electoral Act. She claimed that he committed bribery indirectly by another person by giving valuable gifts of 20 plastic water tanks to electors in the village of Houma to influence them to vote for him.
She also alleged that he committed bribery indirectly by another person by giving valuable gifts of another 20 plastic water tanks to other electors in Houma to influence them to vote for him.
Fituafe said he had committed bribery indirectly by another person by giving valuable gifts of cartons of chicken and groceries to the village police in the village of Houma to influence them to vote for him.
Finally, she alleged that he had overspent on his election campaign by expending more than TOP$20,000 contrary to Section 24 of the Act.
In his defence, Tei said the water tanks had come from China and that distribution of them had been planned before the election. He said that advice had been sought from the Attorney General’s office about whether to continue with the distribution of the tanks and it had been agreed to go ahead.
“There were water tanks distributed to the villages in Tonga within the three months before the election on 18 November 2021,” the former Minister said.
“Those water tanks were funded by China. There were two agreements entered into. The first agreement came into effect in August 2021 for 480 water tanks to be distributed by the last day of September 2021. The second agreement for 500 water tanks came into effect in October 2021 and to be distributed by 20 November 2021.”
He said the government had decided to give free plastic water tanks to the people who could not afford them. It applied its own funds as well as funds donated by other governments such as China, for the manufacture of large 5000 litre tanks here in Tonga, to distribute to those families.
He denied that anybody had acted on his behalf or that he had known of any such activities.
“I deny the allegations that Saia Penitani was my campaign agent in Houma,” Tei said.
“I did not have any campaign team in Houma.
“I did not purchase any chicken meat and/or groceries to be distributed to the community police posts in Houma on 5 November 2021. I did not know, and certainly did not consent to Saia Penitani purchasing any chicken meat and/or groceries to be distributed to the community police posts in Houma on 5 November 2021 or at any other time or date on my behalf.”
In his summing up Judge Niu said that if Tei had disapproved of Penitani’s action he should have publicly dismissed him as a supporter of his and disassociated himself from any action he had allegedly taken on his behalf. Because he did not do that, he allowed Penitani to continue to make representations on his behalf.
He found Tei guilty of the charges relating to the water tanks and the purchase and distribution of chicken. He acquitted him on the charge of overspending.
Four men have been sentenced in the Supreme Court for their roles in a series of burglaries committed in April last year.
Siosaia Hungalu, Lancellot ‘Amanaki Takai Vailea, Faingata’a Manu and Tau’ataina Taufa all pleaded guilty before Judge Niu.
Siosaia Hungalu was charged with multiple counts of abetting theft and housebreaking by driving ‘Amanaki Takai to the scene of two burglaries as well as counts of serious housebreaking and the theft of personal property valued at TP$16,400.
‘Amanaki Takai faced two counts each of serious housebreaking and theft for robberies of personal items, electronics, a firearm, Tongan mats and a kava bowl valued at TP$85,000.
Faingata’a Manu and Tau’ataina Taufa were charged with receiving stolen property, Tongan mats and a kava bowl from ‘Amanaki Takai, believing that those properties had been stolen.
In his sentencing, Judge Niu said Hungalu, 27, no longer worked because he had started taking drugs and had turned to housebreaking and theft. By May 20201 he had committed 17 criminal offences.
He is already serving a two year sentence imposed by the Magistrate’s Court for earlier offences. He was sentenced to a three year term, but will only serve an additional 12 months. The suspension of the rest of his sentence was subject to strict conditions.
‘Amanaki Takai, 34, is serving an 18 months prison sentence which is due to end in December this year.
Judge Niu said Takai had played rugby well in Tonga and New Zealand, but came back because his father was critically ill and could not return to New Zealand because he had been an overstayer.
“The rest is history,” Judge Niu said.
“You took to drinking and drugs, both of which required money which you did not have or wished to work for. You then broke into houses and stole to get money to fund your habits.
“Like birds of a feather, you met up and worked with Siosaia Hungalu on the breaking and entering and stealing to fund both your habits.”
The judge sentenced Takai to three years to be served concurrently, with only one year to be served.
Judge Niu told Faingata’a Manu, 30, that it was time he became “fakapotopoto”, that is, mature and be responsible.
“You say that your work is mowing grass for your step-father for which you are paid about TP$100 a week,” he told the accused.
“That work does not support yourself at present, because you still need more money to fund your drinking and smoking, let alone a wife and children when you are married like you plan to do. The probation officer says that your father-in-law says that you are so unreliable that he does not want you to work for him anymore.
“The officer also says that you told him that you have asthma. If that is true, then smoking and drinking will only make that asthma worse. You should therefore quit smoking and drinking. Besides, you are of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which prohibits smoking and drinking, as well as drugs of course.”
Manu was sentenced to two years in prison with the sentence fully suspended because of his age, co-operation with police and the likelihood that he would rehabilitate himself.
The judge described Tau’ataina Taufa as 34, married with eight children and not in regular employment. He described him as having a problem with drink and drugs.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the sentence fully suspended for two years. On the grounds of diminished responsibility, co-operation with the police and the prospect of rehabilitation.
Bongbong Marcos, the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, may be about to become the Philippines’ new president.
Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jnr is the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Photo: EPA
Marcos Snr, who was driven from power by a popular revolution, acquired a Tongan passport in 1986, as did his wife and two of his children.
Bongbong Marcos has allied himself with Sara Duterte daughter of current president Duterte, who has presided over a regime that has encouraged police to murder drug dealers, shut down opposition media and silenced his critics.
Marcos Jnr, 64, has a seemingly unstoppable lead in the elections, with 18 million votes against his rival’s 8.5 million. The threat of him gaining power seriously worries the country’s democrats.
He has worked overtime to whitewash his father’s dictatorship and persuade voters that Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda – famous for her enormous collection of shoes – did not steal billions of dollars, kill and torture opponents, leave millions of people starving and destroy the economy.
After he was overthrown, the Marcoses and at least two of their children acquired Tongan passports from King Tupou IV in July 1986. The king was running an illegal racket selling Tongan passports to mostly Chinese citizens. Two kinds of Tongan passport were for sale to foreigners: the Tonga Protected Persons Passport and the Tongan National Passport (issued to those who became naturalised).
Mrs Marcos initially denied that she had a Tongan passport, but then admitted she may have been given one, but claimed she had not applied for it or paid for it.
King Taufa’āhau Tupou IV. Photo/Wikipedia
It is not certain whether Bongbong was one of the children who acquired a Tongan passport.
The sale of an estimated 7000 passports raised about US$26 million, nearly all of which was lost when the king was conned by an American fraudster, Jesse Bogdonoff. The money had been shifted to a bank account in San Francisco. The king was reported as saying that if the money was left in Tonga it would be spent on roads.
The late ‘Akilisi Pohiva helped expose the king’s corrupt practices, forced it to admit the illegality of the passport sales and change the constitution.
Pohiva and the then Catholic Bishop (now Cardinal) Patelesio Finau led 2500 protestors in a march on the royal palace where they presented petitions to the King asking him to cancel the citizenship of hundreds of passport holders and to sack the police minister who had accepted blame for the sales.
Veteran Pacific affairs reporter David Robie reported at the time that the king had told the Tonga Chronicle the kingdom could not afford to cancel the passports.
“He said changing foreign exchange rates, plus possible lawsuits by passport holders, meant that paying out refunds and declaring the documents null and void would be too heavy a burden for the country,” Robie wrote.
The Supreme Court has rejected claims of electoral bribery in the Tongatapu 1 electorate.
MP Tēvita Fatafehi Puloka
Judge Cooper, presiding, ruled that three claims of bribery against Tēvita Puloka, who won the seat, had not been proven.
The challenge was brought by Siaosi Vailahi Pōhiva, who stood unsuccessfully.
Pōhiva was the People’s Representative for Tongatapu I from 2019 until the last election. He is the eldest son of former Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
Judge Cooper said Siaosi described himself as a fighter for democracy in Tonga and the Pacific.
Siaosi alleged that Puloka had given TP$100 to Toti Viau and Uili ‘Ahokava and donated soap – sometimes referred to as hand sanitiser in the evidence – and face masks to different bodies or establishments.
Toti Viau, from ‘Isileli in Kolomotu’a, said that she had seen Puloka give to her mother, Vika Keke Tu’ipulotu, TP$100.
She said Puloka had visited her mother in September 2021 and left her an envelope containing the money.
She stated that as he left, he told Vika not to forget that he was running for Parliament and had left, but not before leaving the envelope with money for her.
Toti said she went to her mother, who had “a sad face” and asked why Puloka would try to buy her vote.
Judge Cooper said he formed the opinion after her cross-examination that she was not a reliable witness and was motivated against Puloka.
When questioned she accepted that Puloka had done much for her and her family, but would give no credence to other suggestions of kindness.
“From this I judged she had an agenda to follow and it was not based on the obvious good deeds and generosity she acknowledged he had shown her,” the judge said.
“Her answers showed an erratic grasp of how to report facts.
“She was the only witness of this alleged bribery. The petitioner has not proved his case under the head of claim.”
Judge Cooper said there were questions about the dates given in the alleged bribery of Uili ‘Ahokava and the circumstances relating to the event. The judge said ‘Ahokava had been influenced in his testimony and had lied on oath.
“In any event, it becomes impossible to accept his word when he states that Puloka gave him the money to buy his vote and not just as a hand-out to family for some alcoholic drink,” the judge said.
The allegation was therefore not proven.
On the third allegation, the judge said that a candidate for election may make a payment or valuable gift for mixed motives.
“He may, for instance, make a gift for charitable purposes. There is nothing wrong with that. But he may also make a gift to buy votes. That is bribery,” he said.
“Tonga faced a new situation. The Covid 19, the coronavirus, was at last detected in the Kingdom at this time we are concerned with. One can say that the gift was close to the election and it was unprecedented, but so was the apparent finding of a case of Covid 19.
“Returning to the instant case, these were donations to children and teachers; the children in the main, the unvaccinated population of Tonga. Soldiers and Police also were the recipients.
“To put it another way, I am sure that the respondent has proved that they were proper recipients, so tending to demonstrate it was a charitable gift, as, though close to the election, so was the reported emergence of the virus in our community.
“There was nothing dishonest or corrupt in the donation of soap and masks. In fact, the reverse, it appears to me that this was nothing short of laudable and a genuine wish to help the people of Tonga.
“I find these acts were not bribery. Accordingly, I find all three allegations of bribery have failed to be proven.”
Yet another election outcome has been declared void after the Supreme Court found Tatafu Moeaki guilty of two offences of bribery under section 21 of the Electoral Act.
Māteni Tapueluelu (L), Tatafu Moeaki
Moeaki was found guilty after the court heard a petition from Mateni Tapueluelu who stood unsuccessfully against Moeaki in the contest for the Tongatapu 4 constituency, which comprises Ma’ufanga, Houmakelikao, Fangaloto, ‘Anana, ‘Umusi, Popua, Patangata, Tukutonga, Pangaimotu and Siesia.
At the time of the election on November 18, 2021, Tapueluelu held the seat and Moeaki was Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries.
Moeaki won the election.
Tapueluelu asked the Supreme Court to overturn the result on the grounds that Moeaki had committed bribery by the following methods:
Giving TP$100 to one Nikisoni Tomasi, an elector of Tongatapu 4, to induce him to vote for him;
Making promises to procure loans for a group of female electors at Patangata to induce them to vote for him;
Making promises through another person to give free plastic water tanks to electors of Patangata to induce them to vote for him;
Making promises through another person to electors at Patangata that he would build dwelling houses for them for a sum ofTP $3000 per house to induce them to vote for him;
Making promises through another person to upgrade the roads in the electorate to induce the electors to vote for him.
Section 21 (1) Electoral Act says that every person commits the offence of bribery who, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf gives any money or valuable gift to or for any elector, or to or for any other person on behalf of any elector or to or for any other person, in order to induce any elector to vote or refrain from voting.
A reference to giving, lending, agreeing to give or lend, offering, promising or promising to procure or try to procure, any money or valuable gift fell under this category.
In his defence, Moeaki said he had given TP$100 to Nikisoni Tomasi, but it was without any intention to induce him to vote for him.
He denied that he had promised to procure a loan for anybody.
He said he did not make any promise to procure a water tank for anybody.
He did not promise to build a house for anybody or promise to upgrade any road to induce the electors to vote for him.
After the evidence for both sides were given and his lawyer had filed his submissions Tapueluelu withdrew the allegations that Moeaki had promised to build houses and upgrade roads
Justice Niu, presiding, said that after considering the evidence he found the first claim had been proved.
“I consider that the petitioner has proved, and I am satisfied on the balance of probability, that the respondent gave TP$100 to Nikisoni Tomasi to induce Nikisoni Tomasi to vote for him,” the judge said.
“I find that the third claim has been proved, and I am satisfied on the balance of probability that the respondent committed bribery by making promises through another person to give plastic water tank to electors of Patangata to induce them to vote for him.
Because it had been proved to the satisfaction of this Court that Tatafu Moeaki was guilty of two offences of bribery under section 21 of the Electoral Act, and in pursuance of the provisions of section 32 of that Act, this Court declared that his election as the representative for the Tongatapu 4 Constituency was void.
Two elected MPs whose seats in parliament had been declared void by the Supreme Court are expected to be officially unseated by the Legislative Assembly after next week on May 16.
Sangster Saulala and Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa
Lord Chief Justice Whitten found Sangster Saulala guilty of bribery following a complaint by Paula Piukala, who stood unsuccessfully in the election.
Saulala was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs by the incoming government.
Judge Nicholas Cooper declared former Prime Minister Dr. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa’s election to Tongatapu number 10 Electoral District last year void.
Mr Cooper said Dr. Tu’i’onetoa had committed bribery in breach of Section 1 (a) of the Electoral Act 1989.
Confirming the Parliament will meet to remove the duo, the Chief Clerk said: ”Ater The Lord Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Lord Fakafanua, received two Court Certifications on 2 May 2022, which confirmed that the elections in the 18 November 2021 General Election of the respective Parliamentary Representatives for Tongatapu 10, Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, and Tongatapu 7, Sione Sangster Saulala, have been voided by the Supreme Court of Tonga. This is the outcome of judgements on respective election petitions that were brought against Tuʻiʻonetoa and Saulala on charges of bribery”.
The move was part of a requirement under the Electoral Act, it said.
“The unseating will be carried out at the Assembly’s meeting to be held on 16 May 2022. Once unseated, the seats in Parliament for Tongatapu 10 and Tongatapu 7 will be vacant. The Lord Speaker will then issue writs for election of new Representatives for Tongatapu 10 and Tongatapu 7.
“The date for the election of the new Representatives for the two constituencies will be determined by the Electoral Commission in consultation with the Speaker”.
Attorney General Linda Folaumoetu’i has refused to reveal what advice her office gave to Cabinet about the appointment of Lord Sevele to the Reserve Bank of Tonga.
Attorney General Linda Folaumoetu’i. Photo/TBC
She said all advice provided by the Attorney General’s Office was privileged.
“This legal solicitor-client professional privilege protects all communications between us and our clients from being disclosed to any person unless our client agrees to such disclosure,” she said.
“This is a long standing principle of law.”
She also declined to say what advice was given about speculation that Lord Sevele’s appointment might lead to a conflict of interest as outlined in items 88 to 96 of the Cabinet Manual and the Reserve Bank Act.
Kaniva News also raised concerns with the Attorney General about Lord Sevele’s involvement in the illegal transfer of millions of pa’anga from a Chinese loan to Princess Pilolevu, his part in purchasing the MV Ashika which sank, killing 74 people and his refusal to pay back his share of the Chinese loan for the reconstruction of Nuku’alofa.
The Attorney General said these were “mere allegations” because they had not been adjudicated before a Court of law and proven to be true.
Minister of Finance Tatafu Moeaki
“When court/tribunal judgments are delivered on the alleged issues, then appropriate authorities, including Cabinet, can take into considerations those conviction records in determining whether a person is fit and proper to be considered as a member of a statutory board or otherwise,” she said.
Kaniva comment
As Kaniva News has reported, the process for appointing directors to the Reserve Bank does not have to go through the Public Service Commission so that their background has to be scrutinised using the Cabinet guidelines and the Reserve Bank Act. The selection of the board directors is at the discretion of the Minister for Finance and Cabinet.
As we have said previously when we reported on the relationship between the former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa and convicted fraudster and Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu, ministerial discretion means Cabinet ministers have the power to make a choice about whether to act or not act, to approve or not approve, or to approve with conditions taking into account all relevant information.
The Minister for Finance has access to all the relevant information about Sevele’s involvement in a number of controversial actions. Some people might well think that the Minister had enough information to a decision in good conscience not to appoint Lord Sevele.
Clearly a segment of the public is concerned that a person with a highly controversial background may sit on the board of the kingdom’s most important financial institution. Such strong public reaction to the appointment would likely have an effect in countries such as New Zealand.
Lord Sevele
Section 10 of the NRBT Act says that in the appointment of directors, Minister and Cabinet as well as the board must – “give regard to a person’s recognised integrity …….” The question that continues to be raised, as a matter of proper public debate, is whether Lord Sevele’s integrity has been recognised to be of such a standard as to make it proper for him to be appointed to the NRBT board.
So what is to be done? Perhaps Attorney General Linda Folaumoetu’i is correct when she says that many of the allegations and concerns have not been tested in court.
Here is what she said: “When court/tribunal judgments are delivered on the alleged issues, then appropriate authorities, including Cabinet, can take into considerations those conviction records in determining whether a person is fit and proper to be considered as a member of a statutory board or otherwise.”
So let the Cabinet set up a public tribunal where these issues can be aired and investigated properly. Let there be a proper, public enquiry on Lord Sevele and, in the future, on all Cabinet appointments that would otherwise avoid scrutiny. If a public enquiry declares there is no substance in the concerns about his appointment, let Lord Sevele take up his seat on the board. If an enquiry goes against him, however, he should not be appointed and that should be the end of the matter.
