PNCR member Aubrey Norton says party leader Robert Corbin did not adequately address several issues he raised at last Saturday’s General Council including the alleged forging by a party executive of a document for a district election over a year ago.
Norton in a letter today to Stabroek News was responding to a letter from PNCR Public Relations Officer, Malika Ramsey in the March 6th, 2012 edition of Stabroek News in which she said that Corbin had put to rest allegations raised by Norton at the General Council.
Norton, who has had a long-running rivalry with Corbin, differed with her statement in his letter today.
Norton a former General Secretary of the party said in his letter “I reported to the General Council that a senior executive member of the PNCR had forged a document in respect of the elections held at the District level more than a year ago, and that I had reported this matter to the General Secretary of the party, citing the clause of the Party constitution that was breached, along with the relevant documentation, and was promised by way of a letter that the matter would engage the attention of the party disciplinary committee. To date no action has been taken on this matter. I called on General Council to ensure this matter is dealt with so that in our Party we apply the rule of law. At no time did Mr. Corbin provide an answer to this serious allegation. He studiously avoided the issue and therefore it is ridiculous for Ms. Ramsey to state that he put the allegations to rest.”
Norton, who was credited with helping APNU do well in Linden at the general election but was not included in its list of MPs said that he also raised concerns as it relates to the appointment of a person to a position that has been abolished by the Party and which position was therefore unconstitutional.
“Mr. Corbin attempted a response but clearly recognised that the decision was not sanctioned by the Party’s Constitution. Mr. Corbin then stated that the Constitution was amended in 2004. To this contention I said that it was not true. I reminded the General Council that I was at all Party Congresses since the early 1970’s. Mr. Corbin then said that the General Secretary will provide the General Council with the Resolution that amended the party’s constitution. We are still awaiting that Resolution. Surely this state of affairs could not have put the matter to rest”, Norton declared.
Corbin has faced deep internal dissent extending back for several years. It was one of the reasons which sources say led him not to contest to be the party’s presidential candidate for last year’s general elections. This position was later clinched by David Granger after a novel series of town hall meetings with all of the candidates, culminating in a party election. Corbin, while not in Parliament, remains the party leader but sources say that a significant section of the party wants him out. Last week’s General Council concluded with both Corbin and Granger warning about factionalism in the party. Granger also called for the reform of the party and its arms.
Norton was ousted as the Chairman of the key Georgetown District in 2009 in an acrimonious election which led to accusations of electoral fraud.
