Lynda Tabuya at the opening of the 2024 Parliament session at the Parliament House in Suva on Monday. 4 March 2024 Photo: Facebook / Fiji Government
Fiji's Women's Minister Lynda Tabuya, who has been at the centre of an alleged sex and drug scandal with the sacked education minister Aseri Radrodro, has been removed from her position as the People's Alliance deputy leader.
The decision was announced by the People's Alliance in a statement on Tuesday, saying the "scandal and its associated allegations" involving Tabuya had caused "potentially irreparable damage" to the party.
It said the that Executive Council had a meeting on Monday "to thoroughly debate the recommendations by the party's management committee.
According to the People's Alliance constitution, the Executive Council is "the supreme governing body of the Party".
"The discussions primarily centred on the sex and drug scandal involving Tabuya during an official trip to the Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne last year," the statement said.
"The Council specifically took into account the perceived severe and potentially irreparable damage and disrepute inflicted upon the party's image and reputation by the scandal and its associated allegations.
"The Executive Council resolved, in the best interest of the Party, that Tabuya be removed as Deputy Party Leader effective immediately as at the time and date of its decision, yesterday the Monday, 4th March 2024."
The party said Tabuya was notified of the decision yesterday.
RNZ Pacific has contacted Tabuya for comment.