Papua foreign minister stands aside over coronation travel cost controversy

FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla travel in a Diamond Jubilee Coach to Westminster Abbey, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. David Rose/Pool via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Papua New Guinea (PNG) Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said he was standing aside on Friday amid a controversy over the cost of the developing country's delegation to the coronation of King Charles III in London.

Tkatchenko said in a statement on Friday that he "stood aside" after consulting with Prime Minister James Marape, who would assume the portfolio.