Samoa's former speaker and cabinet minister, La'auli Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, is to establish a new political party to compete in next year's election.
La'auli announced his move after he accepted a call from his Gagaifomauga number 3 constituency to quit the ruling Human Rights and Protection Party.
The MP said more details would be announced at a later date.
Laauli ale Malietoa Leuatea Polataivao speaking to reporters in Samoa. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Tipi Autagavaia
This comes after weeks of La'auli refusing to accept party leader and Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi's statement that the MP was no longer a caucus member.
According to the Prime Minister, La'auli had breached party policy by not supporting a constitutional amendment for a new division of constituencies to be put in place in next year's general election.
La'auli apologised to Tuila'epa for any wrong doing he may have commited while he was a caucus member.
However La'auli also voiced deep concerns over the party he was was dear to him, his family and even his constituency.
He said since the Samoa became a one party state after the 2016 general election, the leader had ruled with one voice.
La'auli's late father was a founding member of the HRPP and former cabinet minister.
La'auli was first elected to parliament in 2006 and served as Speaker from 2011 to 2016.
