The People's National Movement (PNM) has denied inviting suspended party member Christine “Twiggy” Livia to Wednesday’s ceremonial opening of Parliament.
The party’s general secretary Ashton Ford, in a press release yesterday, said neither the party or Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had issued any such invitation.
Ford said reports to the party indicated that Levia, along with two other suspended members of the PNM, were invited to the ceremony by the Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal.
Livia showed off a black envelope with an invitation to the event on Wednesday as she posed for photos outside of the main entrance of the Parliament building
After attempting to enter, Livia was redirected to the air-conditioned tent commissioned for invited guests and executives at the side of the building.
After quietly making her way there, Livia was asked who invited her to the event.
She flippantly replied that the invitation came from Dr Rowley before saying she had friends on both sides of the local political divide. Livia’s response to the question was reported in yesterday’s T&T Guardian.
Ford said the article which appeared on page A6 under the headline “Rowley invited me” conveyed the misleading impression that Levia was extended an invitation to the ceremony from the Prime Minister.
“Accordingly, the PNM wishes to distance itself and its political leader and Prime Minister the Hon Dr Keith Rowley from any activity or circumstances associated with Ms Levia’s presence at the official opening.
“The national community is reminded that Ms Livia along with Messrs Ricardo Welch and Barry Garcia have been suspended from the party pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings,” Ford said.