[UPDATED] Le Hunte quits over 'policy conflict'

ROBERT Le Hunte on Sunday said he resigned as public utilities minister owing to "professional conflict on policy positions." He also resigned as vice-chairman of the road map to recovery team that is developing the post-covid19 development strategies for TT. But Le Hunte underscored his continuing commitment to the ruling PNM and remained as the party's vice-chairman.

After a plethora of speculation online about his resignation on Sunday, official confirmation came through a statement by Communications Minister Donna Cox.

In the statement, Cox said the Prime Minister accepted Le Hunte's resignation. She said, "The resignation became effective yesterday May 16, 2020." Cox added, "The Prime Minister is in the process of making the necessary adjustments consequent to Mr Le Hunte's resignation."

Those adjustments include the revocation of Le Hunte's senatorial appointment, the appointment of someone either as acting or a new public utilities minister and the appointment of a new vice-chairman of the road map team.

In a subsequent statement Le Hunte said he sent his "letter of resignation as the minister of public utilities" to Dr Rowley on Friday.

"My resignation was as a result of professional conflict on policy positions," Le Hunte said.

In his statement and in a subsequent interview with Newsday, Le Hunte did not explain the nature of that conflict or the reasons for his resignation.

In the statement, he continued, "In these circumstances, I gave our Prime Minister the opportunity to proceed in a manner which allows the government to achieve its objectives."

Le Hunte confirmed Cox's statement that Rowley accepted his resignation on May 16. But he added, "I remain committed to the PNM and continue to serve as party vice chairman."

He subsequently told Newsday that hand-in-hand with his ministerial resignation was his resignation as vice-chairman of the roadmap to recovery team.

Rowley, who chairs the team, appointed Le Hunte as its vice-chairman. Le Hunte said he did not believe his resignation would prevent the team from achieving its objectives of establishing a framework for TT's post-covid19 recovery.

"The team is made of competent professionals."

Le Hunte also said "a lot of the groundwork" had been done by the team since its establishment on April 16. He said the team's first report was submitted to Rowley and the team was "well on the way" to completing its second report. Le Hunte also said, as vice-chairman, he played his part in helping to establish clear directions on the way forward. He did not elaborate on the reasons for his resignation from the recovery team.

Political scientist Dr Winford James said he was surprised by Le Hunte's announcement.

Referring to calls in the media for the resignation of National Security Minister Stuart Young regarding the visit of Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez to TT in March, James said Le Hunte's resignation seems to be "going against the run of play." He said Le Hunte was someone who Rowley wanted in his Cabinet and eventually succeeded in getting him.

Le Hunte was appointed a government senator and public utilities minister on August 31, 2017. His initial appointment earlier in the month was revoked after concerns were raised about his dual citizenship in Ghana. Before his appointment, Le Hunte was working in the commercial banking sector in Ghana.

James also said Rowley gave Le Hunte other important assignments such as heading a cabinet sub-committee to deal with reform of credit union legislation. He also said as a former banker, Rowley also relied on Le Hunte for his professional knowledge and skills.

James observed that Rowley accepted Le Hunte's resignation shortly after it was offered. While the reasons for Le Hunte's resignation remain unclear, James said it appeared that Le Hunte was adamant that he wanted to resign.

"There may be other things going on behind the scenes."

With Le Hunte remaining as PNM vice-chairman, James did not believe his resignation would have any significant impact on the party's stability or fortunes in this year's general election. While saying Le Hunte was "being groomed for big things," James said he did not believe that Le Hunte commanded the following amongst PNM supporters that stalwarts like Rowley, Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Social Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis did.

James did not see Le Hunte's departure affecting the roadmap team, unless the reasons for his resignation were connected to the work of the team. He said, if that was so, it raised the possibility of other team members resigning. But James reiterated that the facts of Le Hunte's resignation remain unknown.

This story was originally published with the title "Le Hunte resigns" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

PUBLIC UTILITIES Minister Robert Le Hunte has resigned. The announcement was made by Communications Minister Donna Cox in a statement on Sunday.

In the statement, Cox said the Prime Minister accepted Le Hunte's resignation but no reasons were given for the resignation. Le Hunte's resignation became effective on Saturday.

Cox added, "The Prime Minister is in the process of making the necessary adjustments consequent to Mr Le Hunte's resignation."

Le Hunte was appointed a government senator and public utilities minister August 31, 2017. He was initially appointed as a government minister and senator earlier that month. But the appointment was revoked after it was discovered he had dual citizenship in Ghana, where he was previously working as a banker. He was reappointed after that situation was rectified.

Apart from being a government senator, Le Hunte was vice-chairman of the roadmap to recovery team which is developing strategies for TT to handle a post-covid19 development. Le Hunte is also PNM vice-chairman, and retains that post.

In a subsequent statement, Le Hunte said his resignation was because of a professional conflict on policy positions. He did not elaborate. Le Hunte also thanked staff at the Ministry of Public Utilities and other well-wishers for "their words of encouragement over the past two days."