Alleged assault

Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo told Radio Polynesia that he has received the request from the suspended MP.

But he said there were factors that needed to be considered including the fact that Tuilaepa is no longer an MP, despite the fact that he remains the leader of the opposition Human Rights Protection Party.

It's the latest in a string of defeats for NFP member Pio Tikoduadua, who said he was attacked by Frank Bainimarama on 9 August.

Footage leaked days after Mr Tikoduadua made the claims showed the prime minister grabbing and shoving him.

But Parliament's privileges committee cleared Mr Bainimarama of assault, and Mr Tikoduadua was suspended for six months after refusing to apologise for verbally abusing the prime minister in the House.

The Samoa Observer reported that a relative of the minister lodged the complaint following an incident last weekend in which the minister allegedly assaulted another member of her family.

The minister was reported as saying the incident had nothing to do with her ministerial duties and therefore she would not comment.

A Police source told the newspaper a formal complaint had been laid on Monday but the minister had not yet been charged.

The minister is one of five female parliamentarians and a former broadcaster who was also a director of the state owned Radio 2AP.