PNM planning to kick out Lee Sing as POS mayor?

Last week Port of Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing criticised his own party - the People's National Movement (PNM) - for rushing into a debate of no confidence in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, suggesting that the move was ill timed and would give an advantage to the governing People's Partnership coalition.

He also expressed concern over what he said was a lack of democracy within the PNM, citing the issue of the Balisier ties when he was denied an opportunity to speak on the matter.

Now it seems the outspoken mayor might find himself in political hot waters for expressing his views publicly.

The Guardian reported Tuesday that members of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation have written to Lee Sing asking for a special meeting of the council to “treat with matters pertinent to the office of mayor.” The paper said the letter has been signed by the majority of the members of the PNM-controlled council.

Lee Sing told the paper he has no knowledge of the letter. However, the paper said its sources have Lee Sing must convene the meeting within seven days of being served notice for the meeting or the deputy mayor can preside.

The plan is to turn the table on Lee Sing and express no confidence in him, which would mean that he would be fired as mayor, the Guardian said.

The paper said PNM officials did not wish to comment on the developments. However it reported that Rowley was not pleased about Lee Sing's complaint, which he had described as “unfortunate”. He also stated that the PNM's internal matters would not be discussed in public.

Lee Sing is one of the PNM's staunchest supporters and had been a close adviser to former Prime Minister Patrick Manning. However he became disenchanted with the former Prime Minister and suggested last year that Manning should leave politics forever and open a church as he had promised. Lee Sing was appointed Mayor of Port-of-Spain in August 2010.