Fiji, May 3 -- Kiribati's first president Sir Ieremia Tabai says the decision by the government to deport Australian-born Judge David Lambourne from the country is "a farce".

The opposition MP said there is no doubt, in his mind, that the government campaign to remove Lambourne is aimed at his wife, the opposition leader, Tessie Lambourne.

Last Thursday, the Kiribati Parliament voted to accept the decision of a tribunal set up by the government to investigate aspects of Lambourne's work.

The government has not commented beyond a statement from the office of President, Taneti Maamau, saying Lambourne is being deported for his "misbehavours".

Quoting from the tribunal report, the statement said "the serious misbehaviors of the Judge inc...