, April 8 -- Two weeks after the Supreme Court convicted Tonga's Finance Minister of electoral bribery, the Prime Minister appears to continue to work alongside him, despite the ruling.

In a judgment delivered on 24 March 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that Lata 'i Faingata'a Tangimana had committed two acts of bribery during the lead‑up to the 20 November 2025 general election for the Ongo Niua 17 constituency, in breach of section 21 of the Electoral Act.

The court found beyond reasonable doubt that Tangimana, acting indirectly through another person on his behalf, provided valuable gifts of fish to two electors in September 2025, within three months of the election, for the purpose of inducing them to vote.

Justice Garlick KC a...