Cook Islands Parliament closed amidst disarray

The Cook Islands Parliament has been closed today and no one is permitted entry following a sitting to oust the government yesterday.

RNZI's correspondent in Rarotonga reports a security presence is outside the parliament building to prevent the opposition coalition from sitting again.

The Clerk of Parliament says the Opposition is doing the work of the devil, causing disunity in the country.

Last night the Opposition maintained that its no confidence vote in the government of Henry Puna was legitimate.

The MPs claimed the Speaker Nikki Rattle did not follow the correct procedure in ending a parliamentary session last Friday.

They said this left the parliament still in session and they used the opportunity to hold the no confidence vote under the Deputy Speaker Rose Brown.

Prime Minister returns to deal with threat

As the Prime Minister Henry Puna returned home from overseas to deal with the threat to his government, the Finance Minister Mark Brown continued to describe the Opposition's moves as a non-event.

The MPs voted in support of Rose Brown as prime minister, but her swearing in didn't happen yesterday as the Queen's Representative Tom Marsters was not at the official residence to receive the Opposition.

Mrs Brown had been aligned with the governing Cook Islands Party and the Finance Minister said her defection to the Opposition demonstrated her ambition to be Prime Minister.

He said she has exposed herself as being disloyal.

The Internal Affairs Minister Albert Nicholas was also present in Parliament yesterday but Mr Brown said he had given assurances he continued to support the Cook Islands Party government.

Mr Brown said Rose Brown would be welcomed back into the Cook Islands Party.

RNZI understands the Queens Representative has requested a legal opinion on the parliamentary vote.