Mosese Bulitavu will remain as member of Parliament, the Speaker has ruled.

SODELPA wanted Ratu Epeli Nailatikau to expel him for supporting the Budget and iTaukei Land Trust Act commonly known as Bill No. 17 of 2021.

In his ruling, the Speaker said that since he was unable to make a determination on how Mr Bulitavu voted on the 2021-2022 Budget and Bill No. 17, his seat as a member of Parliament cannot be deemed vacant and he remains as a member of Parliament.

“Furthermore, I note from your 6 August 2021 letter and the respective letters from Honourable Bulitavu to me, that there appears to be an internal dispute between SODELPA and Honourable Bulitavu in relation to whether the directions issued by SODELPA were valid,” Ratu Epeli said.

“As such, in accordance with Standing Order 142 of the Parliamentary Standing Orders, given that I am not satisfied that the contents of your 6 August 2021 letter are accurate, your letter is treated as not having been received by my office.”

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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