She added that a decision on whether to lay charges or let him go would have to be made later today.

Scott, 53, and his gay lover Scrivener, 39, were hacked to death in their bed early Sunday, still wearing the suits they wore to a Fiji Military Forces ball on Friday.

Police Commissioner Isikia Savua told reporters yesterday that they were seeking a number of people, including a former policeman, in connection with the deaths and an arrest was imminent.

There has been wide speculation that the murder was related to last year's coup and the possibility of Scott testifying in the treason trial against failed coup plotter George Speight.

However, sources have told AFP the murders were almost certainly related to the mens' lifestyles rather than their politics.

Police have also questioned a domestic servant who lived at the upmarket house.

Sources said he told the police he heard loud noises early Sunday but the couple frequently had long rowdy weekend parties. He instead went back to sleep and only later in the morning discovered the bodies.

"We will get the guy, there is no doubt in my mind about that ... We will make an arrest by Friday," said police chief Savua, adding soldiers were also being questioned.

Scrivener's New Zealand sister Janice Giles on Monday claimed the killings were political and that both men feared for their lives. She said she did not trust the police to investigate the double murder.

"John had voiced a great deal of concern during the coup as to whether the police would protect them because of attitudes within senior police circles," she said.