A failed Papua New Guinea election candidate denies that he tried to kidnap an MP from another party.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/Johnny Blades
David Arore said he was merely trying to help the new Ijivitari MP, Richard Masere, when a highly-publicised tussle took place outside Port Moresby's main airport.
The incident, which preceded last week's parliamentary vote for prime minister, was described by Mr Masere's party, the National Alliance, as a desperate attempt to manhandle their MP to another political camp.
But Mr Arore, a former MP with the People's National Congress party, said the new MP asked him as someone from the same town to help him join the PNC.
"I escorted him, and I brought him from Popondetta to Port Moresby when his party, the National Alliance, actually attacked us They actually came and took out the member from me, and forced him into the vehicle and he left. There was no kidnap. I arranged the plane and he came and both of us got on the plane and came to Port Moresby."