10 Aug 2005

Samoan officials consider reinstating suspended opposition politician

2:10 pm on 10 August 2005

Samoa government officials are meeting today to discuss whether to reinstate the deputy opposition leader, Asiata Dr Saleimoa Vaai.

Asiata was suspended from parliament without pay in April for complaining to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

His complaint made various allegations against the Prime Minister, Speaker and Clerk of the House.

Asiata's complaint had followed a ruling by Parliament that the Opposition's newly formed Samoa Democratic United Party could not replace the National Development Party as its members wanted.

The move left the assembly without a formal opposition party.