Latest news with #Pryde
RNZ News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fiji's top prosecutor remains in self-imposed exile in NZ while earning six-figure salary
Christopher Pryde Photo: Christopher Pryde A senior Fijian public official remains in self-imposed exile in Christchurch, despite continuing to receive a six-figure government salary since his reinstatement. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called out New Zealander Christopher Pryde, the country's director of public prosecutions, for failing to turn up to work for almost seven months since his [ reinstatement in January. Rabuka said that since Pryde's reinstatment, he has been nowhere to be found, all the while earning FJ$250,000 (approximately NZ$184,000) per year. Pryde was reinstated following a suspension in April 2023 , pending an investigation into "allegations of misbehaviour" by the country's head of state, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, under direction of Prime Minister Rabuka. The Otago-educated lawyer has held the Offfice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) since 2011, during which time he laid charges against former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and the then-Police Commissioner at the time, Sitiveni Qiliho. After his reinstatement, Pryde suspended the then-acting DPP Laisani Tabuakuro on 29 January over "insolent, grossly discourteous" comments. "I have reviewed, in particular, a number of public statements you have made at various times without authorisation and which have caused reputational damage to the [ODPP] and brought the office into disrepute," Pryde wrote in a letter dated 30 January. "I also note public statements you have made against me personally and the manner in which you have addressed me in email correspondence, all of which I regard as inappropriate and insolent, The last of which led to your suspension." In a statement on 10 April, Pryde said that the removal was undone by now acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva, who shortly after his resinstatement, filed her own complaints against him. Pryde is now refusing to return to Fiji until the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) - the body that appoints and removes judges - issues a decision on Tikoisuva's complaints. "I am ready to return to work, but I have insisted that the JSC give me a clear undertaking that I will not be immediately suspended and my salary cut upon my return to Fiji. "I spent nearly two years under suspension and seven months without a salary (before his reinstatement) in breach of natural justice." Pryde said that he wrote to Rabuka about his concerns. This week, Rabuka posted on Facebook saying that he had "expressed serious concern" over Pryde's absence. "I will have to find out why he has not been called and whether it is a matter for the Constitutional Offices Commission to consider again."
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Fiji's top prosecutor still in self-imposed exile in Chch
By Kaya Selby of RNZ A senior Fijian public official remains in self-imposed exile in Christchurch, despite continuing to receive a six-figure government salary since his reinstatement. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called out New Zealander Christopher Pryde, the country's director of public prosecutions, for failing to turn up to work for almost seven months since his reinstatement in January. Rabuka said that since Pryde's reinstatment, he has been nowhere to be found, all the while earning FJ$250,000 (approximately NZ$184,000) per year. Pryde was reinstated following a suspension in April 2023, pending an investigation into "allegations of misbehaviour" by the country's head of state, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, under direction of Prime Minister Rabuka. The Otago-educated lawyer has held the Offfice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) since 2011, during which time he laid charges against former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and the then-Police Commissioner at the time, Sitiveni Qiliho. After his reinstatement, Pryde suspended the then-acting DPP Laisani Tabuakuro on 29 January over "insolent, grossly discourteous" comments. "I have reviewed, in particular, a number of public statements you have made at various times without authorisation and which have caused reputational damage to the [ODPP] and brought the office into disrepute," Pryde wrote in a letter dated 30 January. "I also note public statements you have made against me personally and the manner in which you have addressed me in email correspondence, all of which I regard as inappropriate and insolent, The last of which led to your suspension." In a statement on 10 April, Pryde said that the removal was undone by now acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva, who shortly after his resinstatement, filed her own complaints against him. Pryde is now refusing to return to Fiji until the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) - the body that appoints and removes judges - issues a decision on Tikoisuva's complaints. "I am ready to return to work, but I have insisted that the JSC give me a clear undertaking that I will not be immediately suspended and my salary cut upon my return to Fiji. "I spent nearly two years under suspension and seven months without a salary (before his reinstatement) in breach of natural justice." Pryde said that he wrote to Rabuka about his concerns. This week, Rabuka posted on Facebook saying that he had "expressed serious concern" over Pryde's absence. "I will have to find out why he has not been called and whether it is a matter for the Constitutional Offices Commission to consider again."
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
CUPHD pushing preventative mosquito measures for summer
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — It's not exactly a surprise but a familiar foe is back for another season. Friday was officially the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. This means nice weather and sunny skies, but also mosquitoes and all that comes with them. On Wednesday, Christian County reported their first West Nile positive mosquito of the year. Staying safe during heat advisory in Central Illinois: The Champaign Urbana Public Health District said seeing positive mosquitoes for West Nile isn't exactly breaking news, but it doesn't mean it should be taken any less serious. 'Here it's in the birds; it's in the mosquitoes,' said Champaign-Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde. 'They get it from the birds; they get it from different animals. We are going to see it.' For years, the virus has been considered endemic in Central Illinois. This means the virus has been here in Central Illinois and will continue to be said people still need to stay on top of preventive measures. Live blog: WCIA 3 Diaper Drive 2025 'It's just like the flu: flu is endemic. So, we will make sure that every season when it becomes more likely that people get infected, we'll just remind people you need to, you know, take precautions against the flu,' Pryde said. 'So, it's more like reminders now. At the beginning, it was a new virus, it was a completely new virus in the United States that we hadn't been dealing with. And so, it was definitely more concerning.' Birds and mosquitoes continue to be the main culprits to keep an eye on. Pryde also said the best way to limit risk is to get rid of standing water. Other measures include using repellent and wearing long sleeves. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Montreal Gazette
13-05-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Lawyers can't agree on sentence for driver who killed cyclist after taking Ativan
Montreal Crime By The prosecution and a defence lawyer representing a woman who was convicted last year of driving while impaired when she struck and killed a cyclist in the West Island were unable to reach an agreement on a sentence. At the Montreal courthouse Tuesday, lawyers from both sides informed Quebec Court Judge Dennis Galiatsatos they will need two days to present arguments on a sentence for Christine Pryde. The judge agreed to schedule two dates early in September to hear the arguments. In October, Pryde, 33, was found guilty of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, operating a vehicle while impaired and causing death by criminal negligence. Pryde killed Irène Dehem, a mother of three, while driving a Hyundai Accent shortly after noon on May 18, 2021, along l'Anse-à-l'Orme Rd. in Pierrefonds. As Pryde approached a curve in the road, she continued straight, crossed into the oncoming lane and ended up in a ditch. The car struck Dehem, who was riding her bicycle on a path. On the impaired driving charge, the judge determined that Pryde's ability to drive safely was affected by Ativan, medication she took the night before and on the morning of the incident. Defence lawyer Jessy Héroux said he plans to have four or five witnesses testify on Pryde's behalf 'to show the work she has done on herself.' He also said Pryde has not decided yet if she will testify when sentence arguments are made. A conviction for criminal negligence causing death comes with a maximum life sentence and a minimum sentence of four years.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'You want to keep your best players'
Newcastle United should do all in their power to keep striker Alexander Isak. That is the view of BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Simon Pryde, who discussed the topic in the latest episode of BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport Newcastle podcast. After the Magpies' latest financial report showed revenue gains compared with the previous year, chief executive Darren Eales reiterated the club's intention to be at "the top table" by retaining their best players. Pryde agreed with the approach: "You want your best players and you want to keep your best operators but you never know what is around the corner. "You want to build your side around the best players. "But we have been around football long enough to know there are no guarantees. If someone comes with a ridiculous offer that they can't turn down." Isak is the third top scorer in the Premier League this season, on 19, only behind Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Erling Haaland. Pryde says it is not just his ruthless finishing that makes him so important to Newcastle. "How do you replace someone of that calibre?" he said. "This guy doesn't just score goals. This is a guy that creates goals too. "But if he keeps playing the way he is, he will demand a lot more [money]." Listen to the full discussion here
