Nauru issues rare statement after whistleblower alleges violent threats against Australia’s non-citizens

Nauran government says its citizens are friendly' after MP spoke of serious threats allegedly made against former Australian detainees

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

The Nauruan government has issued a rare statement insisting it is a friendly" and welcoming" country after a whistleblower alleged serious threats of physical violence" were made against a group of non-citizens removed there by the Albanese government.

The unexpected defence, sent shortly after midday Thursday, was mounted hours after independent MP Andrew Wilkie used his three-minute constituency statement to read claims from an anonymous whistleblower familiar with the arrangements of the secretive $2.5bn deal between Australia and Nauru.