CARETAKER Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has denied interfering with police process.
He also rejected claims he demanded the release of a boy police arrested at Vavaya Ridge, Honiara, on Tuesday night.
Mr Lilo was responding to a front page story in Friday’s Solomon Star, which he described as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by his lawyer Nuatali Tongarutu, it said:
“Lilo did not claim that the boy arrested by the police was his son.
“In fact the boy who was arrested and later released after being charged is son of the caretaker PM’s butler.
“Lilo did not interfere with the police process and did not demand release of the boy.
“After proper enquiries relating to the incident were made by the relevant officers it became evident that the incident was a misdemeanour.
“The proper and right thing to do under the circumstances was to release the boy on bail after being charge.”
The statement said it mattered not whether the person has connections with the caretaker PM.
“The process to charge the boy and release him on bail is normal under the circumstances and there is nothing sinister or abnormal concerning release of persons arrested after being charged in connection with allegations of minor criminal offences or misdemeanours.
“This has been practiced in other cases not involving persons holding higher offices so to speak.”
The statement said the news item was intended as a smear campaign against Mr Lilo, with the intention to demean and defame him in his position as the caretaker PM and candidate for Gizo-Kolombangara constituency.
