Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt denied that Inspector Li’o Faataumalama Auava had resigned, while criticising Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga for failing to provide a direct response when asked by a journalist earlier.

The exchange between the Prime Minister and the journalist at his press conference prompted the press secretary to step in and halt further questioning based on what he described as “unconfirmed information."

Inspector Li’o Faataumalama Auava, who was terminated by the Police Tribunal in 2024, was re-employed by the Ministry of Police and Correction Services effective from 13 April. However, senior journalist Deidre Fanene raised questions during the Prime Minister’s press conference on Wednesday about reports that Li’o may have resigned.

“Resigned when?” the Prime Minister asked. “The only thing I know is that he has started working again." The Prime Minister questioned whether the information was true.

Fanene said she directed the question to the Prime Minister because he also holds the Police, Prisons and Corrections Services portfolio.

The press secretary, Tusiga Taofiga Peseta, stepped in, saying, “The Prime Minister will not answer any more questions based on unconfirmed information.” He said, while also suggesting that different questions be asked of the prime minister.

Fanene responded that she had asked the Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, before attending the press conference, and that Leiataua said he would look into the matter. In response, the Prime Minister said Leiataua should have given a straight answer.

“The Commissioner should have simply said yes or no instead of saying they are looking into it,” he said. “I’m also shocked by what you are saying, that Li’o has resigned. People should be careful about what they see on Facebook.”

The discussion shifted to other internal matters within the police force. The Prime Minister also revealed that two police officers who had been suspended for allegedly leaking information about police raids to drug dealers are now before the Attorney General, Mauga Precious Chang.

The Prime Minister said the Attorney General was in New Zealand and unable to provide further details regarding the suspended officers.