Deputy Prime Minister Professor Professor Biman Prasad has labelled a front-page report in today’s Fiji Sun, in relation to the Fiji Elections Office (FEO) referring a complaint against him to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for investigation as “malicious and without substance.”

“I am surprised to read this,” he said in a statement issued today.

“The FEO has not put these allegations to me for response or comment.

“I do not see how the Acting Registrar of Political Parties and Supervisor of Elections could reach the view that there was a case for FICAC to investigate without first asking for answers from me.

“My lawyers will be writing separately to her on this.

“I can assure the FEO – and the public – that  allegations in respect of my Declaration as reported by the Fiji Sun are completely malicious and without substance.

“Also, nobody from the Fiji Sun contacted me for  my comment on the news published today. The report stated that I said  “this is not a good time” when I was supposedly contacted by a journalist to comment on the news. This is unethical and irresponsible.

“This is also absolutely false and a concoction. My lawyers will also be writing to the Fiji Sun on this issue.”

Fiji One News has reached out to the Fiji Sun and Fijian Elections Office for comment and has not received a response from both parties as yet.