The main opposition coalition has not taken any decision on replacing Deborah Backer as one of its Members of Parliament (MPs).
After falling ill, Backer has missed several sittings of the National Assembly since early December last year.
With the budget debates and the ensuing consideration of the budgetary estimates fast approaching, APNU and Opposition Leader David Granger was yesterday asked if there are any considerations to replace Backer as an MP.
Former APNU MP Richard Alleyne, who fell ill during the consideration of the 2013 budgetary estimates, was replaced by APNU Rennita Williams after it became obvious that he would not fully recover in time to enable the APNU to maintain its one-seat majority on votes.
Granger told a news conference that no such decision has been taken with regards to Backer. Granger said that he has been in constant contact with Backer and disclosed that she is currently on her way back to Guyana but has stopped over in Trinidad. The purpose of the stop-over is unknown.
Granger did, however, reveal yesterday that Backer has been replaced on the Special Select Committee on the anti-money laundering amendment bill by fellow MP Jaipaul Sharma.
