Just days after being sacked from the Democratic Party, Cook Islands MP Norman George has been allowed back into the party.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Democratic caucus and national executives.
At the weekend Mr George said he was planning to form a new political grouping to contest the general elections in September.
Eugene Tatuava says he remains the official Democratic Party candidate in Mr George's constituency on Atui island despite Mr George being readmitted to the party.
"He's welcome back into the party, as a member not a candidate. Norman George has always been there. He has been in the party for twenty years, but things have changed. It was the people who invited me to go back and represent them so that is why I am confident."