- says he has ‘no power’ to suspend her

FOLLOWING is an explosive statement released to the media yesterday ‘suspended’ PNCR Member Ms. Vanessa Kissoon, in which she made it clear that Opposition and PNCR leader David Granger has “no power” to suspend her, and that if she is to be made the “sacrificial lamb to uphold the Party Constitution” then she is prepared to face the consequences.“God is in charge and I fear not,” she declared.

‘FIGHTING BACK’: PNCR Member Ms. Vanessa Kissoon

Following is the full text of Ms Kissoon’s statement to the media yesterday:

HAVING seen the PNCR’s statement to the media today (yesterday, Thursday July 10th, 2014), I am given no other choice but to make public my side of the story.

Mr. Granger, Leader of the PNCR, emailed me on 24th June saying that he has suspended my membership from the Party. This letter suspending my membership preceded the Central Executive Committee meeting held on 25th June, 2014.

I take this opportunity to say publicly what I said to the party privately – I do not have the keys to the Party’s office in Linden. This has been communicated to Mr. Oscar Clarke, General Secretary, several times before Friday 20th June, 2014 when I was assaulted at Congress Place. On Saturday 6th July, I advised him when he was in Linden for the Son Chapman’s commemoration event that I do not have these keys.

To date I have received no correspondence coming from the Central Executive Committee. The issue I am suspended for is based on an incident that occurred on Friday 20th June, 2014. The letter of 24th June further advised that I will be referred to a disciplinary committee. I was never asked by Mr. Granger what transpired on 20th June. My 28th June response to Mr. Granger’s letter expressed concerns about the violation of the party constitution and my rights under the said constitution in addressing the matter.

I am surprised that my party, under the leadership of Mr. Granger, has sought to release a statement that has no bearing to what lead to my suspension. The PNCR statement conflicts with the 24th June letter to me by Mr. Granger. As such I am compelled to release the correspondence trail (seen by the Chronicle) on this issue, starting with Mr. John Yates’ letter of 21st June, 2014, soliciting support for me to be disciplined, to my response today (10th July) to Mr. Granger’s letter of 8th July.

The Party Constitution, Article 27 INTERPRETATION CLAUSE ‘Under this Constitution’ (5) reads: “A power to appoint implies a power to suspend, dismiss or revoke.” I am a member of the PNCR and not an employee. The Leader of the Party did not appoint me and respectfully has no power to suspend me. If I am to be made the sacrificial lamb to uphold the Party Constitution I am prepared to face the consequences.

God is in charge and I fear not.