Papua New Guinea minister quits over luxury Coronation trip controversy
Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister has quit after a controversy over spending on the country’s official delegation at King Charles III’s coronation.
Justin Tkatchenko travelled with his daughter Savannah, who posted a TikTok showing her first-class plane journey and shopping spree in Singapore.
On Wednesday, he branded her critics “primitive animals”.
Mr Tkatchenko’s comments sparked protests in the capital Port Moresby on Friday outside Parliament House.
Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth nation in the Pacific which has King Charles as its head of state.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Tkatchenko said he “stood aside” after consulting with Prime Minister James Marape.
He added that he wanted to ensure recent events did not interfere with upcoming official visits by US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I also want to ensure the truth of this matter is cleared and the misinformation and lies are corrected,” he said.
