PRIME MINISTER PETER O'NEILL REFERRED FOR TRIBUNAL

The Public Prosecutor has requested a Leadership Tribunal to investigate allegations of misconduct in Office, against Prime Minister Peter O'Neil.

The request for the Leadership Tribunal into Mr. O'Neil relates to National Government's loan with the Union Bank of Switzerland, the UBS.

In a statement today, Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin says, he's found sufficient and credible evidence to refer the matter for a Tribunal to investigate.

Mr. Kaluwin says, his request for the Tribunal, follows allegations of Mr. O'Neil's failure to comply with administrative and financial processes including the normal overseas borrowing process in the approval of 3-billion Kina from the UBS, Australian branch, to purchase shares in Oil Search Limited.

It is further alleged that the purchasing of shares was in the interest of Oil Search Limited and not in the interest of the country.