Abdication report 'lies'

Kingitanga leaders say reports that King Tuheitia told tribal parliamentarians on Sunday that he would abdicate are "outright lies".

The King addressed Te Kauhanganui against a background of turmoil that resulted in a high-ranking chief executive, Hemi Rau, being fired for alleged media leaks.

Yesterday the Waikato Times reported that the speech included a threat to abdicate. Tribal leaders say they are considering legal action against the newspaper.