Friday, September 21 2012

ST JOSEPH MP Herbert Volney last night expressed disappointment over his dismissal as Justice Minister but said he accepts being dismissed from Cabinet and remains loyal to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the People’s Partnership Government.

Volney was not among government members present at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s when Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced she had advised Acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith to revoke his (Volney) ministerial appointment and replace him as Justice Minister with Tobago-born attorney Christlyn Moore.

Contacted by Newsday, Volney last night said he accepted Persad-Bissessar’s decision. “The Prime Minister has spoken and there is nothing for me to say,” Volney said. On his dismissal, Volney stated, “I’m very disappointed. I gave the (Justice) Ministry my best.” Saying he believed he had laid the groundwork for the ministry to become one of Government’s most successful ministries, in the future, Volney extended his best wishes to his replacement, Moore.

He expressed confidence that she would receive the full support of both her new government colleagues and staff at the Justice Ministry. Notwithstanding his dismissal, Volney said he has no intention of resigning as St Joseph MP and will continue to serve his constituents to the best of his ability. Saying he still has a lot of good ideas on how to serve the people as an MP, Volney was philosophical about his political future. “When my God closes one door to me, He opens another,” Volney said.

“I will continue to be very loyal to my Prime Minister and one thing I will spend my last breath to ensure is that the PNM never returns to the corridors of power,” Volney declared. When the House of Representatives next sits on October 1, at 1.30 pm, for the presentation of the 2012/2013 Budget, Volney will join Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Collin Partap as another government backbencher without ministerial title. Sources said Volney may relocate to the Government’s backbenches in the House, behind the Opposition benches.