Panday will work with Kamla, won't sit on front bench with Jack

Basdeo Panday made it clear Thursday that he will not work with UNC chairman Jack Warner. And he won't sit on the opposition front bench until Warner is removed from the post of Chief Whip or until he accounts for funds allegedly received by Warner on behalf of the party.

In a media statement the member for Couva North said he is willing to work with the new leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, "notwithstanding my reservations on the integrity of the recent internal elections of the UNC."

But he said there is no way he will work with Warner.

"I am, however, not prepared to serve under Jack Warner as Chief Whip in the Parliament until such time as he renders an account for the millions of dollars received by him on behalf of the Party."

He said in the circumstances, he intends "to approach the Speaker of the House with my request, that I be seated on the back-bench on the Opposition side of the House until such time as Mr. Warner is removed as Chief Whip, or until he accounts for the millions of Party funds received by him for which he has persistently refused to account."

Warner has always denied receiving any money on behalf of the party and has dismissed the charges.

In response, to Panday's statement, Warner issued a brief comment to the media.

He said, "I am extremely disappointed that Mr. Basdeo Panday should seek to dim the glory of our Political Leader in her finest hour.

"Mr. Panday is aware of the historical importance of today because it will be the first time a female will ever be appointed as the substantive Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and to seek to hog the limelight and detract from this moment is terribly sad."

He added, "In this regard, I refuse to indulge him and assist him in making a spectacle of himself. As a consequence, I will not dignify Mr Panday's statement with a response today but instead I will join my Political Leader in the making of history at the President’s House...as for Mr Panday, tomorrow is another day!"