It's offical: Rowley is Opposition Leader

Ten opposition MPs - including Patrick Manning - have endorsed Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley as Opposition Leader. He will take the oath of office on Friday.

Rowley confirmed the details in an interview with the Trinidad Express.

Rowley told the paper he is "consulting very widely within the party and outside of the party but mainly within the party...to ensure that we get the best team that could go into the Senate and do the job."

He said his priority is to select the "best that is available to the PNM."

The Opposition Leader is allowed to name six Senators in the 31-member Senate, which also comprises nine independents and 16 government Senators, giving the governing party an automatic majority.

The 10 names on the letter endorsing Rowley include Manning, and MPs Marlene McDonald, Paula Gopee-Scoon, Amery Browne, Donna Cox, NiLeung Hypolite, Fitzgerald Jeffrey, Patricia McIntosh, Alicia Hospedales and Joanne Thomas.

Diego Martin North East MP, Colm Imbert, who is considering a run against Rowley for the leadership of the party, is the only MP who did not sign the letter, the Express reported.

The party will choose a successor to Manning at a special convention on June 27.