“I support whole heartedly the call by another former prime minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, for Mr O’Neill to stop disrespecting the country’s highest office.

Throwing the word ‘integrity’ around to conceal abuses is absolutely deceitful and wrong. To have integrity is to submit yourself to processes of law and the State of Papua New Guinea.

“I thus call on Mr Peter O’Neill to respect the Office of the prime minister and surrender to police and appropriate authorities so they can carry out their duties without obstruction and interference. “

Sir Michael said that calling members of the Royal PNG Constabulary vigilantes was intolerable when officers of the law were merely carrying out their Constitutional duties.

“No person including myself is above the law,” he said. “I now appeal to Mr Peter O’Neill to do the same and submit to our laws to uphold the integrity of the Office of the Prime Minister.

“It saddens me to state that, in the same manner Mr O’Neill steadfastly held on to office after the Supreme Court declared twice in 2011 and 2012 that his government was illegal, that he continues to exhibit the same characteristics through the ongoing rhetoric and manipulation.

“In order to clear charges against him relating to the Paraka Case, Mr O’Neill must submit himself to the orders of our courts so that others who also have pending arrest warrants can do the same.

“In the interest of the people of Papua New Guinea Mr O’Neill must stop eroding the institutions of government for the sole purpose of defending himself.

“Sadly our Police Constabulary is in disarray. The previous two commissioners who defended Mr O’Neill have been set-aside with contempt charges against them. And Mr Baki’s continued defiance of court orders in defence of Mr O’Neill is on a collision course with the judiciary.

“Needless to say all eyes are on our judiciary to continue to uphold our Constitution and protect the rights of all citizens even the prime minister if he has been wronged.

“It is the obligation of every citizen of Papua New Guinea to be vigilant and observant about the rule of law and not tolerate breaches and abuses by any individual especially elected representatives.

“I therefore urge Mr O’Neill to respect the people of Papua New Guinea who are all watching their institutions of state being played for the convenience of a few. If you are innocent, surrendering to agents of the law is the only way that any charges against you can be cleared,” Sir Michael said.