PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has welcomed the move by the Public Prosecutor to refer him to a leadership tribunal.
Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin last Friday wrote to O’Neill informing him of his referral over allegations of his involvement in the K3 billion Union Bank of Switzerland loan to buy 10.1% shares in Oil Search Limited. O’Neill told reporters last Saturday that the referral was politically motivated but he would let the tribunal deal with it. “I want to clearly state that we welcome the reference by the Public Prosecutor,” O’Neill said. “If the Public Prosecutor did not make such a reference, imagine the debate that will take place. It gives us an opportunity to go before an independent tribunal and the courts to determine the outcome of this decision based on real evidence. “We have continued to maintain that we have acted in the best interest of our country and our people. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister maintains that the K3 billion UBS loan used to buy 10.1% of shares in Oil Search Ltd is in the best interest of the country and people. “We, of course, continue to maintain we have acted in the best interest of our country, in the best interest of our people,” O’Neill told reporters. “It is important that we continue to be participants in the resource development in the country. “The only way to participate in those resource developments is by making sure that we have ownership of some of those shares in those companies. Otherwise, we will continue to be bystanders while other people come and develop our resources. “But again, all this evidence will be presented (to the tribunal). “We know that we have followed every process, in administrative and financial process, that is necessary to get the approvals to go and borrow this money. “It’s not a one-man decision, it was made by Cabinet. I’m very surprised that I am targeted to be referred and of course to be put before a tribunal. “But it goes to show that our independent constitutional offices are working independently, transparently, and it goes to show that they are beyond influence.” O’Neill welcomed the Public Prosecutor’s decision “because it gives us an opportunity to go before the independent tribunal and the courts to determine the outcomes of these decisions based on real evidence that is going to be presented”. Mr. O'Neill said, he won't step as Prime Minister.
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