Australian 'in Solomons PM plot'

An Australian man has appeared in court in the Solomon Islands charged with conspiring to murder the country's Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Bill Johnson was accused of plotting with a gang to kill Mr Sogavare in a motel in the capital, Honiara.

Ties between Australia and the Solomons have long been strained - Canberra's top diplomat was expelled in September.

Mr Sogavare accused Canberra, which has headed a peacekeeping force since 2003, of interfering in internal affairs.

In April last year, hundreds of extra international troops and police were rushed to the Solomons after elections sparked riots.