Lynda Tabuya, left, and Sitiveni Rabuka. (file image) Photo: Facebook / Lynda Tabuya
Sitiveni Rabuka's People's Alliance Party (PAP) has confirmed that sacked former Fiji Women and Children's Minister Lynda Tabuya will remain with the party.
"In the spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation and second chances, it has agreed that Ms Tabuya will remain an MP in the People's Alliance party," PAP's general secretary Sila Balawa said on Tuesday.
Tabuya was removed as a Cabinet minister after the leak of a private video of her dancing naked, which she said was for her husband.
Balawa said that, after due process, the party has determined that the video was not intentionally published or released by Tabuya and she did not intend to cause disrepute to the party.
Tabuya maintains that the malicious distribution of the video was a deliberate attempt to discredit the party.
She has apologised in writing to PAP and its members, and has undertaken to safeguard against the repeat of such incidents.
In regard to her demotion to the backbenchers, the PAP maintains its position that the membership of Cabinet is the sole prerogative of Prime Minister Rabuka.
Tabuya welcomes decision
"I welcome the decision affirming my place in The People's Alliance Party. This matter should never have been raised, and I am grateful that reason and fairness have prevailed," she said.
"My focus remains steadfast on serving the people of Fiji," Tabuya said.
"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support I have received. It has strengthened my resolve and reminded me why I entered public service in the first place," she said.
Lynda Tabuya Photo: Facebook / Fiji Government
Police investigating
Fiji police are still investigating the leaked private video.
Tabuya had lodged a complaint with the cybercrime unit, saying her phone had been stolen and hacked.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mesake Waqa declined to say what the unit had found.
