The Tongan parliament closed early on Tuesday, September 16, after a heated quarrel broke out between the Tongatapu No. 1 People's Representative, 'Akilisi Pohiva, and the Vava'u No. 2 People's Representative, 'Etuate Lavulavu.

The Whole House Committee was debating a Bill that had been introduced by 'Etuate, who was hoping to establish a law that requires newspapers to get permissions before they print the name and the photographs of private citizens.

During the debate on the Bill, 'Etuate repeatedly stated that his intention was to protect the King, but the Ha'apai People's No. 2 Representative, 'Uliti Uata, stressed that the King and the Royal Family were already protected under Clause 7 of the Constitution.

'Etuate argued that Clause 7 did not protect the King, as was shown in a recent sedition case where he claimed that the defendant had lied and the case was dismissed. The sedition case was brought by the Crown against another Member of Parliament 'Akilisi Pohiva and others.

'Etuate's comment angered 'Akilisi who threatened to throw a volume of the Tongan law book at 'Etuate.

'Etuate shouted that if 'Akilisi threw the law book at him he would knock him out.

The Chairman of the Whole House Committee finally managed to cool down the two members.

The Noble'’s Representative for 'Eua, Noble Nuku moved a motion for 'Akilisi to be reprimanded. The motion was passed with a vote of 10-7 and a sub committee was also established to deal with the motion, then the House closed early at mid-day.