SI Prime Minister explains why he sought outside legal advice

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Government had reason to source legal advice and assistance from outside government's legal team.

The Prime Minister was referring to recent public criticisms against his involvement of an outside lawyer for legal advice on the stand-off between the Prime Minister and the Attorney General over the terms of reference to the Commission of Inquiry into the April riots in Honiara.

The Prime Minister says his action in engaging legal advice outside Government machinery was consistent with Cabinet practice.

Mr Sogavare says Government has the benefit of obtaining legal advice from the Solicitor General, Legal Draftsman and other lawyers to deal with the matter.

"We have reasons, on this particular occasion to source legal advise and assistance, not from any ghost lawyers, but from experienced legal counsel abroad whose qualification as a former Solicitor General of Australia is held in the highest regard. Next based on the quality of legal advise available to me, it was apparent that the Attorney General's reasoning to justify this proposal for the modification of the terms of reference was disputable."

Source: SIBC