Samoan beauty pageant judge 'considering legal action against Tonga' after Miss Pacific Islands

Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt is now back home in Samoa after the stop notice issued against him and four other judges of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant was lifted.

Leiataualesa, Vanuatu's Jane Kanas, and Jedidah Korinihona - Solomon Islander residing in Philippines - were the only three judges impacted by the notice.

Papua New Guinea's Pakop Sovo and Tonga's Ma'ata Mo'ungaloa Tupou had already departed Honiara when the stop notices were issued.

Leiataualesa was in the Solomon Islands to adjudicate the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, was held on Saturday, 8 February.

The event, which had eight contestants, was won by Samoa's Litara Ieremia Allan, with the Tongan contestant Rachael Guttenbeil finishing as the first runner-up.

However, a video following the crowning night, which accused Leiataualesa of rigging the final outcome, went viral across the region. He became the subject of hate and ridicule overnight from people online.

Consequently, the Samoan government also got involved, seeking "official details" on why Leiataualesa was stopped from returning to Apia.

The Solomon Islands government finally released a statement on Wednesday, saying that the "stop notice" was issued against all the judges due to "alleged fraudulent activities during the crowning night of Miss Pacific [Islands]".

The statement said the "allegations were deemed serious against" and that the restriction was placed on everyone involved, including the Solomon Islander scrutineers.

Local authorities, including the police, took statements from all relevant individuals, following which the stop order was lifted and Leiataualesa, as well as others, were allowed to depart, the government said.

However, it added that the investigation is ongoing and formal charges will be pressed if anyone is found to have breached Solomon Islands laws.

Leiataualesa said he was "nervous", receiving conflicting information from the authorities during the ordeal, and "just wanted to be home to see my family".

"I got another notice that police were putting charges against me. The next day, a certain minister issued a stop order, stating that if I did not own up and admit to the wrongdoings, they would not let me go."

The pageant's complaints procedure states that any complaints should be filed within seven days of the pageant crowning night. However, no official complaints regarding any allegations have been made.

He said the "speculation and gossip" about rigging the outcomes were false and that he would be working with his legal team on a possible action for unlawful detention.

"I was not technically detained, but my freedom to leave was hindered," he said.

"I missed two flights. I still have not been given a copy of the stop order or any valid reason for it, aside from assumptions that it relates to the pageant, which involved no criminal activity.

"I hope this does not happen to any other foreign visitor due to speculation and gossip that influenced the government's actions.

"I am also considering legal action against Tonga after everything that transpired."

Despite the debacle, he added: "I will always hold the Solomon Islands in my heart. The place and the people are just amazing."