The Niue Government and its former premier, Sani Lakatani, are at loggerheads after his salary payments were stopped.
Both parties are seeking legal opinions after Mr Lakatani, who resigned from the Niue Assembly last November, took exception to his salary being stopped by the Speaker, Atapana Siakimotu, a year earlier.
He had been on extended leave in Auckland since mid 2003, looking after his wife, who has been ill.
Mr Lakatani says he was hurt that he had not been informed his salary was being discontinued, though Mr Siakimotu says he was advised.
Around ten thousand US dollars is involved though Mr Lakatani says it is not about the money.
"It is a matter of principles that I have been treated very badly by the people that I have served."
Mr Siakimotu says he is prepared to give Mr Lakatani the benefit of the doubt over his claim he didn't receive notification his salary would be stopped.
And he says Mr Lakatani may yet receive his money.
If our legal people advise that he is entitled to the money then he will get his money.
Atapana Siakimotu
