O’Neill to attend police inquiry

FORMER prime minister Peter O’Neill says he will be at the police headquarters today as instructed via a media statement by police commissioner David Manning on Saturday evening.
“Firstly, I am surprised but heartened the police commissioner is working late on a Saturday evening,” O’Neill said.
“Violent crimes, kidnap for ransom, rape and murders along with crippling corruption have been skyrocketing since his time in the high office of police commissioner.
“I am sure it is comforting to all Papua New Guineans to know the commissioner is choosing to go after me late on a Saturday night in what appears to be blatant intimidation rather than focus on keeping the people of PNG safe.”
In that statement, Manning urged O’Neill to make himself available to police investigators for allegations of perjury emanating from the UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland) Commission of Inquiry.
“Based upon investigations into the UBS Commission of Inquiry report, we are satisfied that Peter O’Neill gave false evidence whilst under oath,” the statement said.
Manning said the ultimate objective of the Commission of Inquiry was to establish whether there were breaches of PNG laws and constitutional requirements in the negotiation and approval of the UBS Loan, whether PNG as a country had suffered as a result of the deal, and whether the persons involved can be held accountable.
“After a thorough investigation and assessment of the facts, we are satisfied and have sufficient evidence that O’Neill has perjured the inquiry, thereby committing an offence under the Commission of Inquiry Act of giving false evidence under oath,” Manning said.
O’Neill said: “It is nearly 12 months since the internationally presided over UBS Commission of Inquiry ended with no findings against me, and now, late on a Saturday evening, I am instructed via a media statement by the police commissioner to attend questioning on the next day.
“It appears that before I am questioned, commissioner of police in his statement seems to be directing his investigating officers to arrest and charge me of a crime of perjury while under oath in the UBS Commission of Inquiry.”
“I welcome the opportunity to face the courts to test a politically-motivated and very expensive Commission of Inquiry.
“I have faith in the fairness of the courts but not in yet another Police Commissioner-instructed investigation on me.
“The perjury claim that I have learned of in Manning’s statement is false. I can only assume he is referring to the unsubstantiated claim given to the COI by a self-serving politician.
“I assure all supporters that I remain steadfast and more committed than ever to Papua New Guinea and the foundations of democracy. These terrible times we are all experiencing are temporary.”