The Legislative Assembly Speaker has lashed out at the Opposition Leader for claiming he was attending Government events for “personal benefit” and urged him to "take back your words".

Papalii Lio Masipau told the Samoa Observer that the comments by the suspended Lepa M.P. and Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) leader were out of line as the veteran politician had no authority over him.

Tuilaepa, in a Facebook live broadcast on the party’s official page, said he was concerned that the Speaker of the Parliament had attended road openings as well as travelled to American Samoa last month as part of his political party’s fundraising activities.

He claimed that the Speaker’s attendance at these events confirmed that he is biassed when he should be neutral and free from outside influence.

“Attending executive events for personal gains is weak and is a defence to not do the right thing in the eyes of the public,” Tuilaepa said.

“The Speaker’s attendance in road opening can attract criticisms that he stands with the executive and his independence is questionable if he is following the Government.”

According to the suspended Member, he had to comment in order to respond to the public who asked him for advice on how the Speaker should conduct himself and carry out his duties.

But the comments from Tuilaepa did not sit well with the Speaker who described the criticism by the Opposition Member as "dirty politics and lies". 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Papalii said he has never attended a road opening event and asked Tuilaepa to give details to substantiate his claim.

Disappointed at the “no change in attitude” by the Opposition Leader, the Speaker said he does not use events to seek personal benefits and urged Tuilaepa to “take back your own words". 

On the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party delegation to fundraise in American Samoa last month, the Speaker said it was a political party event. 

He explained that he travelled at his own expense and his attendance followed a call from his family in American Samoa to prepare a traditional presentation for the Prime Minister and party that had an activity in the territory. 

“The Speaker is not prevented from attending political party events and my way to the Chair is through the political party,” said Papalii. 

“When the political party hosts events I attend it unless it’s events that concern the Government then I don’t attend it. 

“Just like Fiame’s meeting with the Governor in American Samoa I was not part of those discussions.” 

The Speaker pointed out this is not new and former Speakers had always attended their respective political party’s activities and events in the past. 

Papalii then reminded Tuilaepa of his role as the Opposition Leader to give constructive advice to the Government of the day, and advocate for his constituency’s development.

But to give orders to the Speaker is not for the Opposition Leader to do, he said.   

“He has no authority to instruct the Speaker of his duty and role,” he said. “It is also clear under the Constitution that the Speaker’s position is a constitutional appointment and he should respect it and not try to dictate it as if it’s a H.R.P.P. Speaker.

“The Speaker of Parliament is independent just like the Court and its duties and responsibility and no one should interfere with it.”

Papalii then warned Tuilaepa of undermining the Speaker’s role by making false claims through such statements, which will not be overlooked and will be dealt with in Parliament. 

Parliament will resume on Tuesday next week, though Tuilaepa together with his party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi are suspended indefinitely, pending a Supreme Court challenge on the resolution of the Legislative Assembly to suspended them indefinitely.