Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) Tuileapa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi said he would challenge Monday's swearing-in ceremony held by the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party.

He further said the swearing-in was evidence that F.A.S.T. members have mental issues and needs professional help. 

He also attacked the F.A.S.T. lawyers Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu and her husband Matafeo George Latu for their role in the swearing-in ceremony held in front of the Legislative Assembly. 

He said F.A.S.T. has criticised the H.R.P.P. as dishonest, but said their actions on Monday showed they were truly the dishonest party. 

“The sun has set and they had repeatedly begged the Judges to officiate their swearing-in ceremony," he said. 

“They had tried to enter Parliament which is under the care of the (caretaker) Speaker of the House, and then they opted to use the tents after their failed attempts for the Chief Justice to officiate the swearing-in.” 

Tuilaepa said Mr. and Mrs. Latu had stood in for the Legislative Clerk during the ceremony, an action that he said had brought shame on the country.  

“This is not a country governed by fools, we have been independent for more than 60 years and we are usually seen by outsiders as a peaceful country under the guidance of the Chiefs in the villages," he said. 

"But what took place paints a picture to other countries that we are governed by Mafia.” 

The Speaker of the former Parliament, Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi, had ordered that Parliament not sit on Monday. 

This was in an apparent contradiction to an earlier court order by the Supreme Court requiring Parliament to convene on Monday at the latest, according to a constitutional provision requiring Parliament to sit within 45 days of national election. 

The constitution also requires that any swearing-in be attended by the Head of State but both he and the 25-member strong H.R.P.P. caucus boycotted Monday's events despite the court ruling. 

Leaupepe's order came hours after the court had voided an order by the Head of State suspending the sitting of Parliament for reasons that he said would be made public "in due course". The F.A.S.T. party won four court cases the week prior, including a Court of Appeal judgment against the H.R.P.P., in addition to the last-minute appeal. 

Tuilaepa said the F.A.S.T. party had effectively dug their political grave. 

“Today will always be remembered as a shameful day and they will be mocked by the villages with their bogus swearing-in ceremony,” said Tuileapa. 

He also criticised the Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church (C.C.C.S.), Reverend Elder Iosefa Atapana Uilelea who led the service for the ceremony. 

“It is a joke the swearing-in ceremony which was officiated under a tent and was sworn in by a couple and something has to be done in relation to this," he said. 

"The church needs to step in as well as the constituencies whose Members of Parliament were sworn in today because it’s shameful."

He said that the H.R.P.P. would take action. 

“This is treason and yet it’s instigated by the couple who are both lawyers,” referring to Mr. and Mrs Latu. 

Tuilaepa dodged questions pertaining to the expiration of the 45 days spelt out under the constitution requiring for Parliament to convene. 

“I will not entertain that question now and will respond later,” said Tuilaepa. 

Asked whether Tuilaepa should retire and allow someone else to take over reins of the H.R.P.P. he said: “They should come before us and get on their knees maybe then we would consider, but for the time being the matter is before the court and there is a legal battle going on."