Two of One Nation’s three MPs in the NSW parliament have quit the party, claiming leader Pauline Hanson’s office improperly funnelled money into its federal coffers.

Rod Roberts and Mark Latham, a one-time federal Labor leader recently elected until 2031, on Tuesday revealed they would sit as independent MPs in the state’s upper house.

It comes after Senator Hanson unseated Mr Latham as the party’s state leader when she led the replacement of the NSW executive two weeks ago, citing concerns about its performance at the March election.

“Can I say this whole sordid saga is not about election results but a pure grab for money in something that I will not be part of,” Mr Roberts said.

The upper house MP said he was aware that sitting as an independent was “political suicide”, but he said it was necessary because he felt strongly about integrity and accountability.

He cleared any former members of the NSW executive of impropriety, but took aim in parliament at Senator Hanson’s chief of staff, James Ashby.

“I will not stand by and allow this to occur, nor can I be associated with a political party that acts unlawfully and without morals,” Mr Roberts said.

“This action has the grubby fingers and fingerprints of James Ashby all over it.”

Mr Latham said he could no longer represent the party since the recent “Queensland One Nation takeover” of the NSW branch.

“I cannot remain as a One Nation MP due to past attempts at defrauding NSW electoral funds and the appointment of a new state executive orchestrated to repeat these rorts,” he said.

Mr Latham outlined his concerns about state election funding being channelled to the party’s federal branch in a letter to NSW Special Minister of State John Graham.

The firebrand MP has been a key element of One Nation’s revival in NSW, leading the ticket in 2019 and 2023 and winning an eight-year term at the most recent poll.

Mr Roberts’ term ends in 2027.

One Nation has one remaining representative in the NSW parliament, former Labor MP Tania Mihailuk, whose term ends in 2027.

Mr Ashby and Senator Hanson have been contacted for comment.

– AAP