A row within New Caledonia's anti-independence camp has deepened, with the French Republicans suspending the membership of a former president Harold Martin.
Harold Martin Photo: AFP
Mr Martin has confirmed that Paris acted over his decision to stand in next month's French National Assembly elections.
His bid clashes with the re-election campaign of another former president Philippe Gomes who has been endorsed as the Republicans' official candidate although he is the leader of the Caledonia Together Party.
Mr Martin disagrees with Mr Gomes on policy and accuses him of failing to represent the Republicans stance in New Caledonia.
He says he will never support Mr Gomes and maintain his candidacy for a Paris seat.