AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER EXPRESSED REGRETS TO DEPUTY PM

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Andrew Byrne. Photo: Courtesy of Sydney Morning Herald.

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Andrew Byrne. Photo: Courtesy of Sydney Morning Herald.

The Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne has expressed regret to the Deputy Prime Minister over last week’s embarrassing body search at the Brisbane Airport in Australia.

Manasseh Maelanga was asked to undergo a random explosives body search while he was transiting in Brisbane last week.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, High Commissioner Byrne said, he immediately tried to contact the Deputy Prime Minister “upon hearing about this incident late on Tuesday”.

He also contacted officials in Australia to establish what had happened.

High Commissioner Byrne then met with the Deputy Prime Minister on Wednesday morning to discuss the incident.

He said, relevant officials in Australia had not been informed about the Deputy Prime Minister’s transit and airport facilitation arrangements for him had not been put in place.

He expressed his regret to the Deputy Prime Minister and thanked him for his dignified response.

The High Commissioner adds they agreed both sides need to do everything they can to ensure that dignitaries are treated with respect.

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