Mick Beddoes appointed Fiji opposition leader
Fiji’s president has appointed the leader of the United People’s Party, Mick Beddoes, as the new leader of the
opposition.
The appointment follows a week of claims and counterclaims from the Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, and Mr
Beddoes about their entitlement to the office.
President Iloilo sought legal advice from the solicitor general, Nainendra Nand, and considered it for several days
before making the announcement this afternoon.
Mr Beddoes has accepted the appointment and confirmed this to the president.
Mr Beddoes says he is relieved that he has been picked and that speculation has finally ended.
He says there is great anticipation from all the people of Fiji for the country to get moving with the new multi-party
government.
Meanwhile, the radio also reports that there is concern why Mr Chaudhry is still occupying the opposition leader’s
office in parliament and continuing to use all its facilities including the vehicle, the staff and the
telecommunications equipment.
But the secretary general to parliament, Mary Chapman, says they will allow Mr Chaudhry to use the facilities until next
Monday when the new parliament meets for the first time.
She says this is out of due respect to Mr Chaudhry as the former opposition leader.