LORD Lasike, the Speaker of the Tonga Parliament, who is facing charges in the Supreme Court, has allegedly defied the conditions of a court order and breached his bail when he traveled to the USA to get married and has not returned to Tonga.

A court order had allowed him bail to travel to Israel from November 14 to December 17, with a parliamentary delegation. Lord Lasike departed Tonga on the trip but he never made it to Israel, and instead went to the United States where he was married to his new wife, Sandra, on November 16.

The Tonga Parliamentary Delegation that went to Israel on November 16 without him, was led by Noble Tu'ilakepa and included People's Representatives Sangster Saulala, Sione Taione and Mo'ale Finau.

Not complied

Tonga's Solicitor General 'Aminiasi Kefu said today that the Crown Law's position is that the accused was bailed to specifically travel to Israel on November 14 and return to Tonga on December 17, 2011.

"He has obviously not complied with the court order, and we will be bringing this matter to the attention of the Supreme Court. We will seek the appropriate orders for breach of bail, " he said.

The court has started their holiday vacation this week and government offices will close on December 23, and reopen on January 3, 2012.

Ammunition charge

Lord Lasike who is charged with one count of unlawful possession of ammunition for .22 rifles was initially set to appear for arraignment on the one count, on November 11 at the Supreme Court.

Matangi Tonga understands that on November 10, Lasike filed an application Notice for Variation of Bail and for permission to travel overseas on a parliamentary trip to Israel from November 14 to December 17, 2011. His application was granted by Justice Robert Shuster with the consent of the Crown Law.

On November 11, Justice Shuster issued a court order allowing Lord Lasike to travel to Israel, and released his passport to him, to be returned to the court upon his return to Tonga.

Under the order, his local bail was also extended to January 20, 2012, when he is scheduled to appear at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, for arraignment before Justice Shuster.

However, the Speaker has not returned to Tonga, and is understood to be still in the United States, as he was absent during a special session of parliament held yesterday, December 20.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker Lord Tu'i'afitu is Acting Speaker.