Cook Islands opposition 'back down over by-election'

The Cook Islands opposition has backed away from earlier claims it was the country's legitimate government.

The confusion follows by-election win for the Cook Islands Party, led by Sir Geoffry Henry, which gave that party 12 votes in parliament - the same as the government of Jim Marurai.

A vote of no confidence saw Queen's representative Fred Goodwin dissolving parliament and calling fresh elections.

However, a reporter for Radio Australia, Bruce Hill, said CIP members instead held a session of parliament during which they claimed to have elected Sir Geoffry as the new prime minister.

The speaker of the parliament and CIP MP, Norman George, said the CIP would now use the courts to get the dissolution of parliament rescinded.

"The prime minister and his deputy refuse to leave office," he said.

"It is them conniving with the Queen's Representative [to stay] in office, even if it's for another three months as caretakers.

"This is going to backfire eventually I am quite confident the courts will hold in our favour."

- RADIO AUSTRALIA