Perjury accusations distressing Tufton family

Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of agriculture and fisheries, who has been accused of violating the perjury laws, says the allegations by Contractor General Greg Christie have raised doubts about his credibility and caused his family "great distress".

Clearly stung by the accusations which he labelled "untenable", Tufton says he has hired prominent attorney Frank Phipps "to explore all legal channels" to preserve his reputation.

"This is an untenable situation for both my public and private life and, as such, I am compelled to do whatever is necessary within our legal framework and in the court of public opinion to remedy this situation," Tufton said in a statement issued yesterday.

At the centre of the controversy is two consultancy contracts awarded to businessman Aubyn Hill by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Christie's office investigated the contracts and charged, in its report to Parliament, that Hill, Tufton and his permanent secretary, Donovan Stanberry, gave statements "that were manifestly and materially false".

"They had unequivocally asserted in the said statements, which were sworn before a justice of the peace to be true, accurate and complete, that 'employment contracts' were awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to Mr Aubyn Hill," Christie declared in his report.

Genuine mistake

Stanberry has since sought to clarify the discrepancy, explaining that he "made a genuine mistake in designating the contracts 'employ-ment contracts'."

The contractor general said his investigations also found that the contracts were awarded in an "unlawful, irregular and improper manner".

The report has been sent to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to determine if perjury charges should be pursued.

Tufton said his attorneys wrote to DPP Paula Llewellyn last Friday requesting an opportunity to "make submissions on my behalf before she makes any decision on the OCG report".

The agriculture minister said he fully supports the objectives and functions of the OCG, but added that everyone should be guaranteed protection under the Constitution to seek restitution "when they believe they have been wronged".