Top Samoan politician in bribery scandal

The Samoan capital, Apia. Photo / Thinkstock

The leader of Samoa's opposition party has been found guilty of bribery in a widespread investigation into political vote buying.

Several politicians in the Pacific nation have been under investigation since Samoa went to the polls in March to re-elect the dominant Human Rights Protection Party.

The recently-formed Tautua Samoa won 13 seats, the strongest performance of an opposition party in a decade but, in a blow, its leader Va'ai Papu Vaelupe has lost his parliamentary seat.

A Samoan court this week found him guilty of paying bribes for votes ahead of the election.

But Va'ai said it was a single event on New Year's Eve that led to his downfall.

"It's two drinks. And bribing is money, money I gave to one of the top orators of our district here, as a New Year's gesture. But he held onto it," the former politician told Radio New Zealand International.

Tough Samoan laws bar him from standing in an election for 10 years. A new leader will be elected this week.

The crackdown on vote bribing continues with several other MPs under investigation.

In one case, Associate Minister Taua Kitiona Seuala is accused of bribing an "old friend" with box of chicken and 50 Samoan tala.

In most instances, the cases have been brought by candidates who stood in the same seat but lost.

- AAP