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In a major development on Thursday, embattled West Portland Member Parliament, Daryl Vaz is appealing the ruling of the Chief Justice to disqualify him from the seat.
In documents filed in Court Thursday, Mr. Vaz said the Chief Justice was wrong in ruling that he was not qualified to sit as MP because he holds a US passport.
He also intends to challenge the ruling that he was not duly nominated in August last year.
Mr. Vaz told the RJR News Centre that the appeal is a strategic move.
"Well Mr. Dabdoub filed an appeal yesterday as a result I have had to file an appeal today so that in the worse case scenario I will be able to stay in parliament during the life of the appeal," said Mr. Vaz.
"But I am hoping that we will be successful in arguing against any stay being granted which would clear the way for a by-election and if that is done then there will be no need for me to pursue the appeal," he said.
Last month Chief Justice Zaila McCalla ruled that Mr. Vaz should be disqualified from sitting in Parliament because he holds dual citizenship.
But instead of turning over the seat to his opponent, People's National Party candidate Abe Dabdoub, she ordered a by-election.
Mr. Dabdoub filed an appeal Wednesday, challenging the ruling for a by-election.