Fiji's Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has included another local media publisher in his defamation lawsuit over reports published on allegations of tax evasion against him.

In a statement, Chaudhry says he has instructed his lawyers to file the necessary legal papers tomorrow against the newspaper reports of Victor Lal previously published in the Fiji Sun, including those under the bylines of Netani Rika and Robert Matau published in yesterday...’s Fiji Times.

Chaudhry adds that he will no longer make any further statements regarding the issue, stating that whatever has to be said now must be stated in court.

Meanwhile, Fiji Times editor Netani Rika told Radio Fiji News yesterday the newspaper was ready to go to court over the issue.

"We gave Mr Chaudhry ample time to answer our questions and when he did respond we ran his response in full. He did not reply to all the questions put to him and that is his right as it is his right to pursue legal action. if he does pursue legal action, we are ready to defend ourselves and we stand by the story we have written."

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will be making a statement on the issue. RF.com/Pacific Media Watch, 24/02/08.