The Speaker of Papua New Guinea parliament, Job Pomat, has resigned as a member of the People's National Congress Party.
Job Pomat. Photo: Facebook / Office of the Speaker
Mr Pomat told media he left the PNC because he says he wanted to maintain a "neutral" position in the House.
His party colleagues, led by former prime minister Peter O'Neill, recently moved across to the Opposition benches from the Government coalition after Prime Minister James Marape told them they were no longer welcome.
Mr Pomat said his resignation from the former ruling party was in the best interests of parliament and the nation.
The MP for Manus recently acknowledged fraud allegations against him circulating on social media, and told parliament he was willing to step aside if an investigation was conducted into his office.
During his press conference yesterday, Mr Pomat appealed to the Ombudsman Commission, as well as the police National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, to conduct an investigation.
The Speaker is now an independent MP.