The Privileges Committee has ruled that both Bainimarama and Pio Tikoduadua issue apologies in Parliament and if they fail to do so, they will be suspended for 6 months.
As predicted, the Committee's decision saves Bainimarama from facing criminal charges for assaulting Pio.
The Committee only viewed the official CCTV footage provided by Parliament and not the video evidence we released.
Pio Tikodudua provided the committee with the video evidence we released but they did not take that into account.
Why should Pio apologise when he did not commit a crime?
And will Pio apologise - we don't think he should and he won't - this is a matter of principle and the crime was not committed by him.
The sad thing is that the victim - Pio - will then be suspended from Parliament instead.
Fiji's thug Prime Minister gets away with a crime AGAIN while his victims get punished.
From the Committee Report:
"After hearing evidence from Hon. Pio Tikoduadua, the Committee reviewed the CCTV footage again and noted that the Hon. Pio Tikoduadua only took one step back as opposed to being thrown back.
"The Committee established that there was no evidence of a forceful shove/push/touch from the Hon. Prime Minister as alleged by Hon. Pio Tikoduadua.
"The Committee noted from the Hon. Prime Minister’s testimony that he pulled the collar to attract his attention about what he said about him.
"Furthermore, whilst responding to Hon. Mosese Bulitavu’s question, “Can you recall what words did you say?”, the Hon. Prime Minister responded and said “Well I abused him.
"The Hon. Prime Minister further stated in his testimony that he was distraught and depressed.
"The Hon. Prime Minister admitted that he was remorseful. He realised that he was wrong and immediately on the same day at around 3.30 p.m. he apologised to the Hon. Speaker. He also advised the Hon. Speaker that he was willing to apologise to Hon. Pio Tikoduadua.
"In that regard, the Hon. Speaker attempted to arrange a meeting with Hon. Pio Tikoduadua and the Hon. Prime Minister but this meeting did not eventuate. Hon Prime Minister made another attempt to apologise to Hon. Pio Tikoduadua
a week later but was again unsuccessful.
"During the examination of the Hon. Prime Minister, the Committee noted that he was remorseful of his actions and again offered to apologise.
"When Hon. Pio Tikoduadua was asked by the Committee whether he would accept Hon. Prime Minister’s apology, he responded “Why should I apologise?” and later he replied that he will require time to think about it.
"When asked whether he would apologise to Hon. Prime Minister, he replied that he has done nothing wrong and therefore has nothing to apologise for.
"The Committee after hearing all evidence and considering all relevant matters is satisfied that there is a breach of privilege on the part of the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Pio Tikoduadua."
Full Report: