Pacific

Top official in Fiji regime-backed party resigns

14:12 pm on 8 May 2014

Reports from Fiji says a top official in the regime backed Fiji First party, Bijai Prasad, has stepped down from the position.

Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama's party applied for registration on Monday and the former Labour senator was revealed as the group's vice president.

Fiji Village reports Mr Prasad says he did not inform the proposed party that he was convicted of a crime in the 1980's and served time in prison.

He said since this has now come to light, it is only right that he steps down from the position.

The website reports Mr Prasad says Rear Admiral Bainimarama has insisted on the highest standard of personal conduct and his non-disclosure has fallen short of those standards.

Reports say Mr Prasad was convicted and jailed for larceny and conversion as an Air Terminal Services employee in 1982.