10 Feb 2007

Samoan woman MP denies leaving SDUP party

6:38 am on 10 February 2007

The only woman MP in the Samoa Democratic United party or SDUP, Fuimaono Te'i, has strongly denied leaving the party.

Fuimaono says her loyalty to Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai, as leader still remains and she doesn't know why the deputy leader, A'eau Peniamina who has quit the SDUP, mentioned her name.

In a press conference, Asiata told reporters that Fuimaono has not resigned and that the deputy leader did not notify the caucus about his decision to quit.

Asiata says according to the written loyalty pledge that MPs have to sign the deputy leader is still a member of the caucus.

But A'eau says there is a possibility that the matter will end up in court.

Meanwhile, A'eau says he left the SDUP because the party is no longer recognised in parliament and he never wanted to get involved in the SDUP's legal action against the Speaker of Parliament.