UNC stands by employee accused of sabotage

The new chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) expressed solidarity Thursday with Karen Kissoon, the woman who has been a accused of being involved in a plot to withhold UNC party cards.

In a media statement, Jack Warner noted that as a result of the allegations Kissoon has had to endure "a very sustained and unfortunate attack on her character" by the wrongful accusation.

He said the allegations are untrue and called them an attempt "to sully the character of the party's newly installed Executive".

Warner said every member of the former National Executive was well aware that there were uncollected party cards sitting at the Rienzi complex and he suggested that the matter was a red herring.

"In any event as the Chairman of the Membership Committee has indicated the said cards were not requisite for casting a vote as all persons who would have had a card would have been on the voters' list," Warner said.

"We wish to express our support for Ms. Kissoon who is a very industrious and efficient staff member. We would also provide her with the necessary support she may require at this time," he added.

Warner also formally announced the appointment of Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh as the Party's General Secretary with immediate effect.

Ramadharsingh is a former Councilor and Senator and has also served as an Acting General Secretary in the past.

He also expressed the party's thanks to Ramadharsingh's predecessor. "The Political Leader and the new Executive wish to place on record our very sincere thanks and appreciation for the work, commitment and dedication of the UNC’s outgoing General Secretary, Fazal Karim, who has demitted office due to pressure of work."

Warner also announced an immediate mass membership drive which also begins effectively from Monday, February 1, 2010. He said persons who want to join can collect membership forms from constituency offices, UNC Members of Parliament as well as from Rienzi Complex.