Organisers of the World Methodist Council conference in Suva denied claims that the Government of Fiji was paying for the Queen of Tonga, HM Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho's stay in Fiji last week.

Conference media liaison officer James Baghwan said Queen Mata'aho personally paid for her three day stay at the J'J's Park room.

"She paid for her stay at the hotel but the Government only provided the official vehicle and the escort during her stay in the country," Mr Bhagwan said.

Mr Baghwan said the queen even rejected the World Methodist Evangelism Institute's offer to accommodate her in Fiji.

He said Queen Mata'aho led the Tongan delegation for the conference on Monday, yesterday and would leave the country on Thursday 13 January.

However, Foreign Affairs chief executive Isikeli Mataitoga on January 12 clarified that the Government was paying for all her bills.

"Yes we are covering all her costs in Fiji which included her hotel bills too," Mr Mataitoga said.

He said it was normal for visiting head of State or leaders to be housed at the State owned guest residence, Borron House. But since Borron House was being renovated, they had paid for Queen Mata'aho's accommodation at the hotel. - Fiji Times