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Acting police commissioner in Samoa denies earlier comments on ministers

Samoa’s acting Police Commissioner has retracted his confirmation that charges will be laid against the Deputy Prime Minister and an Associate Minister.On Wednesday, Leiataua Aviga Salale told our correspondent Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia that police would serve the men with charges.But now Leiataua is denying that’s the case and says no decision has been made.Alex Perrottet has more:Last month, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, and police say they stopped him and tried to take a breath test. Before that could be done, they say Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo drove by and told his fellow minister to drive away. The police report was leaked to the Samoa Observer, and police promptly announced an investigation. The leader of the opposition, Palusalue Fa’apo, said the ministers should step down. “PALUSALUE FA’APO: I am not confident in terms of the independence of the investigation by the police if the deputy prime minister and the associate minister are still in their position because I believe they’ve got the power and the privilege to interfere with the police investigation.”Palusalue said the investigation should be overseen by the Ombudsman. Muagututagata had claimed the police officers had refused to change the cover of the breathing apparatus and their actions were \irresponsible