Suspended Member of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s challenge against his suspension from parliament was heard before Chief Justice Anthony Gates today.

Ratu Naiqama lawyer, Queens Counsel Julian Moti says he wrote to the Solicitor General’s Office on the 15th of this month requesting the release of an audio recording and the actual report of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.

Moti says the Solicitor General’s Office replied that the Privileges Committee cannot disclose the information.

He adds he will now request Communications Fiji Limited to release the audio recording.

Moti says his client is exercising his constitutional right which includes the right to access.

Justice Gates told the court that the right materials must be produced before the court which is important during the trial.

Solicitor General Sharvada Sharma says the Privileges Committee listened to the recording and tabled it in parliament.

He says the recording is evidence before the committee.

Justice Gates says all the parties are to prepare written submissions by the 27th of October and if there are any replies they must be served on the 10th of November.

The case will be recalled on the 15th of December, this year.

Ratu Naiqama was suspended for two years from Parliament earlier this year for making derogatory comments at the Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni at a political party meeting.

The comments were recorded by a CFL journalist who covered the meeting in May.