A former Cook Islands cabinet minister has expressed his dismay at the Prime Minister Jim Marurai's decision to sack his deputy, Sir Terepai Maoate.
Tangata Vavia says he has no regrets about resigning as a result.
Mr Marurai dumped Sir Terepai in the lead-up to Christmas allegedly over the failed bid to buy the Toa fuel tank farm.
Mr Vavia says it wasn't what was originally agreed to and several ministers resigned to show their support for Sir Terepai.
"The decision by the Prime Minister didn't fit in with my thinking. We agreed on the first day that we met that we'd all take the portfolio of Finance from the Deputy Prime Minister and the rest he holds his other titles and portfolios, and the Prime Minister agreed to it as well, but on the second day he changed his mind and sacked him."
Tangata Vavia says further talks among members of the Democratic Party are likely to be scheduled soon.
