Leading Vanuatu MP clams alleged political witch hunt

Transcript

Vanuatu's Supreme Court has found as baseless an attempt to obtain an arrest warrant on the former prime minister Joe Natuman.

Police last year launched an investigation into Mr Natuman after complaints by the man he deposed as prime minister in 2014, Moana Carcasses, that he obstructed police probes into allegations of mutiny within the police force in 2012.

Speculation about the arrest warrant re-surfaced in the campaign ahead of last week's election, in which Mr Natuman won re-election.

Mr Natuman spoke to our reporter Hilaire Bule who asked about claims that Mr Natuman was about to be arrested this week.

JOE NATUMAN: They were attempting to do that but then when the police were investigating the issue of mutiny within the police force and so-called conspiracy went through the magistrate court and the supreme court, both courts rejected the application for the arrest warrant. So this arrest warrant is baseless, refused by the court.

HILAIRE BULE: The arrest warrants have been circulated before the election, is it to damage your political campaign?

JN: I think it was circulated to tarnish my reputation to stand in election and maybe affect my votes during the election period. But that did not succeed because as you can see probably I am one of the highest person who got over 1500 votes in my constituency on Tanna. So it did not have any affect but otherwise I think that was the intention.

HB: After the snap election, delegation were still around in Port Vila?

JN: I think they were trying to disturb our negotiations upon the new government yesterday and the day before, that was their intention. I think there were so called police investigations and trying to get the warrant was politically motivated by certain politicians to scare the caretaker government.

HB: What was in the purpose of getting the warrant to arrest you?

JN: That is baseless because the issue has been to court and it is baseless now. But I think they were trying to use it to tarnish my reputation which I will be seeking my lawyer's advice later on to sue who is responsible and also for negotiations for our new government.

HB: So the allegation and the warrant of arrest did not impact on your negotiation to form a new government?

JN: Not at all. We are just waiting for a decision to be announced and then we will complete our negotiations.