Jack not interested in UNC leadership, says Guardian report is a misrepresentation

A report in the Trinidad Guardian Monday said Jack Warner is prepared to fight Basdeo Panday for the leadership of the United National Congress (UNC).

But in an interview with JYOTI Monday morning, Warner called the report a misrepresentation.

He confirmed that he is not interested in running for the party's leadership and reiterated that he will contest the post of UNC Chairman in any internal election.

That is consistent with what Warner has always said. Warner has always made it clear that he has the necessary skills to shape the party and help it win an election.

The Guardian reported that Warner and some of his colleagues met Sunday at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya and that Warner confirmed for the first time that he would fight Panday "if necessary".

Warner told JYOTI he made it clear to the Guardian that his interest is in the chairmanship, not the leadership of the party. He said he told the paper he is the ideal person to run for chairman because of his experience both locally and on the international stage in chairing organizations.

"I told the Guardian that I am eminently qualified to run for Chairman because of my international work as Chairman of FIFA's financial committee and chairman of CONCACAF," Warner said.

He said he can bring together the best organizational skills that the UNC needs at this time in order to prepare itself for challenging the People's National Movement (PNM) and winning.

He added that he does not have any intention of running for the leadership against Panday because that would be against what he is trying to achieve in uniting the opposition.

And he restated his commitment for uniting the opposition.

He praised Congress of the People (COP) Leader Winston Dookeran for moving in that same direction and said he was delighted to share a stage with Dookeran Sunday night at a Divali celebration in Felicity. "It was beautiful," Warner said.

Read the story: Warner urges constituents to work for unity

Warner said he would continue working on uniting all opposition groups in a common front against the PNM. He is still planning his own congress in November at which all UNC members would have a chance to choose an interim executive and approve the Platform for Change. The UNC has called that move illegal.

The Chaguanas MP has been summoned to appear before UNC’s disciplinary committee Monday to answer charges of bringing the party into disrepute, among others. His lawyer Om Lalla will represent him there.

He has suggested that the party is using an illegal disciplinary team to try to expel him from the party and frustrate his chances of running for office in the internal election.

Earlier this year he warned the party that he would take legal action if it proceeded with any congress with what Warner called a bogus membership lists.

Read related story: Warner complains of 'bogus' membership lists

Warner said he would continue links with COP) and also plans to extend a hand of unity to NAR leader Carson Charles and DPTT leader Steve Alvarez.