Tonga ferry boss 'incompetent'

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A New Zealand businessman who purchased the doomed ferry Princess Ashika was suspended because he was incompetent, a Tongan shipping company official says.

Napier-born former Christchurch businessman John Jonesse, as CEO of the Shipping Corporation, was responsible for buying the Ashika which sank earlier this year with the loss of 74 people.

While he was giving evidence to a Royal Commission of Inquiry in Tonga the corporation, a government owned body, announced it had suspended Jonesse on full-pay.

No explanation was given at the time, but a corporation board member, Tevita Haukinima, has now explained the reason.

He said that the board had heard through the commission hearing that Jonesse had received information on Ashika's poor condition and defects while he was buying it, but had not reported to the board on them.

The board's legal advisor had told the board that Jonesse knew of the reports.

"And if I remember well, maybe he signed some documents on behalf of somebody else," Haukinima said.

"And we decided he is incompetent and it is not fair to the shipping company, Shipping Corporation."

Haukinima's testimony sparked concern over how the corporation's action against Jonesse might affect the Royal Commission.

Attorney General John Cauchi asked the commission to seek an understanding that no disciplinary action was taken against Jonesse while the commission was dealing with him.

"And I think that in fairness, because of what's perceived to be his central role, that he doesn't have to face a disciplinary proceedings, or any proceedings at all, until this inquiry is completed," Cauchi said.

"We've heard some information that they may or may not have taken ... a pre-emptive decision on incomplete information. This inquiry is still going. And ...for there to be some notion that they can carry on and conduct disciplinary proceedings against the person who is currently a witness before this commission, I just think is totally misconceived."

Counsel assisting the commission, Manuel Varitimos, said it was "unfortunate" that Jonesse was suspended in the middle of his evidence.

Lawyer Soane Foliaki, told the commission that his client, Jonesse, was under duress.

"He is a witness under pressure, serious pressure," he said.

Haukinima and Jonesse have been told they will be required to give further evidence in January.

The commission is continuing to sit.

- © Fairfax NZ News