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Source: Close Up -
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A legal expert says an arrest of former All Blacks lock Robin Brooke by Fijian police is highly unlikely.
Lawyer Peter Williams QC says he doubts the New Zealand government will entertain an extradition application if charges are laid.
"They don't have a constitutional government. The courts, the judges are appointed by the government, so the courts themselves, technically are not legally constituted. So I'd be very surprised if any judge in New Zealand would ever issue an extradition order in those circumstances."
His comments come after Fijian police investigating Brooke recommended he be charged for groping a 15-year-old Auckland girl at a resort on New Year's Eve.
The commissioner will decide if charges are laid.
Fiji police also recommend Brooke face charges over an alleged assault on a 17-year-old boy who went to the assistance of the girl.
Early this month Brooke apologised on television to the girl and announced he had reached a settlement with her and her family. A settlement was later reached with the girl's Australian friend, Jordan Whittaker.
In a statement Brooke said he accepted the girl's version of events that he had twice grabbed her backside while she was pool-side at a resort at Denarau, Fiji.
Whittaker, says when he tried to intervene Brooke grabbed his throat and threatened him.
The terms of the settlement with Whittaker were not disclosed.
Brooke agreed to donate $3000 to a charity of the girl's choice, undergo alcohol counselling, reimburse her airfare and pay her family's legal fees.
The teenage girl's family say they sought no money other than the donation to the charity and reimbursement of expenses.
