Results for Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika

A second jury of three women and four men was selected this morning February 11 to try four men and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd who are charged with manslaughter by negligence in the sinking of the Princess Ashika ferry on August 5, 2009.

A Supreme Court Judge and former chairman of the Ashika Inquiry, Mr Justice Warwick Andrew left Tonga abruptly yesterday, August 30, more than a month before his contract was due to expire on October 5, after he said he was told not to continue hearing cases and to hand over his files to the Chief Justice

The final report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Sinking of the MV Princess Ashika on August 5 was this morning presented to HM King George Tupou V at Consular House, and later at mid-day to the Chairman of the Whole House Committee of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Noble Lasike.

The legal counsel to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika made their final oral submissions on Friday evening, March 12 at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.

The Company Secretary of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd Lord Dalgety is under fire at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika on February 25, after evidence revealed a "scandalous contract" of employment and possible use of public funds to finance personal and first class travels in his other role as Chairman of the Electricity Commission.

The former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus (61) told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika today that during his time as Minister his understanding was that the power to detain an unseaworthy ship from sea was of the Director of Marine, and he, on the other hand, would just support it.

John Jonesse was arrested and charged with criminal forgery last week, and is not permitted to leave Tonga before a court appearance scheduled on March 17.

At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Ashika the issue of due diligence was again highlighted in the evidence of the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Busby Kautoke who adhered that Cabinet had no reason to believe that the vessel was unseaworthy. But he accepted that they took for granted that all Government processes of due diligence extending to that of the Procurement Committee would be followed.

The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele is expected to give his evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika on Monday, February 22.