Important testimony by John Jonesse, Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., was cut short today when the SCP board cut off his access to corporate legal defence, thereby forcing an adjournment of the Ashika ferry inquiry.

Suspended

Summoned as a witness, John was supposed to continue with his testimony this afternoon, but the Inquiry was informed by Tavake Afeaki, counsel for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd., that John Jonesse would have to find a new lawyer because he had been suspended as the Managing Director of SCP.

An assistant counsel for the Commission of Inquiry, James Lutui, confirmed this afternoon that the Commission adjourned the hearing until Monday November 9 and gave John two weeks to find a lawyer to represent him for the rest of his testimony.

Repairs not completed

Before the hearing broke for lunch today, John told the Commission that required repair works on the Ashika were not completed when it left Nuku'alofa on 5 August on its final voyage.

A defect list issued by the Tonga Marine and Ports surveyors instructed the need for repairs of over 40 faults, including holes, broken scuppers and others identified by the surveyors, were not completely repaired when it sailed on its final voyage.

John said there was no timeframe given for when the repairs were to be completed but priority work was conducted on the vessel and it was an ongoing working in progress.

SCP Board

The SCP, owned by the government of Tonga is the managing agent for the Tonga government's shipping vessels.

The SCP Board includes chair 'Alisi Taumoepeau; secretary Lord Dalgety, and member Tevita Haukinima.

John Jonesse has stated to the inquiry that a Cabinet Committee comprising the then Minister of Transport, the Minister of Finance and the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and himself, met following discussions and agreed that the Agreement to Purchase the vessel should proceed following the recommendations from MoT and normal procurement guidelines.