PNM secret meetings could undermine Rowley's control of executive: Report

A newspaper report Sunday said some members of the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) are holding secret meetings to try to undermine party leader Keith Rowley by making sure Rowley loyalists don't have control of the new executive following the PNM convention in March.

The Sunday Express said its sources have said several meetings have already been held by Diego Martin North West MP Colm Imbert, who is said to be the "ring leader" of the group. The paper claimed that Opposition Senator Pennelope Beckles is unhappy with Rowley's leadership and is part of the rebel group.

Beckles is planning to run for the post of chairman against Rowley's chocie, former cabinet minister and party chairman, Franklin Khan. The Express said its sources have said Imbert will contest the post of vice-chairman, along with a number of others who will be on a full rival slate.

They include at least one high profile party member - former labour minister Rennie Dumas, will will seek election to the post of elections officer.

Rowley's camp will include Donna Cox who will run for the vice-chairman's post along with Ashton Ford for General Secretary, the Express said.

The paper said it contacted Imbert who admitted that "informal" discussions are taking place among some members, but insisted there's no move to undermine Rowley's leadership.

"It is not correct to say that there is a slate or a team that has been formed yet, what I would say is that there are very informal discussions between people," the paper quoted Imbert as saying. "It will all pan out, it will all flesh out and form up closer to the date, where there will be unequivocal support for one person."

Imbert told the Express the PNM does not need an executive of "blind loyalists". He added, "We had that kind of thing before and it didn't work. PNM suffered as a result and we've had a number of executives within the PNM where people were there literally to do the leader's bidding and that is not going to work in 2011."

Imbert reiterated that Rowley will remain the PNM's political leader until 2015. He was acclaimed to the post last year after former Prime Minister was kicked out of the leadership following the party's defeat in the May 24 general election.

Cox told the Express she is aware of the secret meetings. "I heard about it, I don't know to what extent it is true, but I am disappointed if this is so because we need to be thinking of rebuilding our party and not thinking of ourselves," she said.