PNC congress will proceed despite sudden resignation of GS – Norton

– says no impact on preparations for internal elections

Following the latest high-profile resignation from the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Party Leader Aubrey Norton remains defiant and believes that the resignation of its General Secretary, Dawn Hastings will not have a significant impact on preparations for the holding of Congress.
On Monday, Hastings-Williams announced her resignation from the party – becoming the latest in several high-profile resignations. Her resignation letter highlighted several concerns, including the lack of readiness for this weekend’s congress and concerns regarding financial accountability.
Contacted on Tuesday for a comment on this development, Norton declared that he does not speak to reporters he does not know. However, he indicated to other sections of the media that he is unbothered by Hastings-Williams’ resignation as well as the concerns she raised.

Norton noted that preparations were continuing apace for the conference, as well as the smooth preparation of the voter list. The incumbent leader assured that there was more than enough time for the party to prepare for the congress, as well as an open and transparent election.
According to him, the votes will be cast and counted by all the delegates. Further, Norton assured that the voter’s list was a credible one after reports had previously emerged of a stolen external drive containing the list.
“The list will be credible. Each party group is entitled to check the list, they are doing that now, and to be clear as to how many delegates they have, all of that is being done, that is in the possession of groups, etc. So, I don’t think the credibility of the list would be in question,” Norton was quoted as saying.
Hastings-Williams tendered her resignation with effect from June 24, citing among other things the lack of readiness for this weekend’s congress and concerns regarding financial accountability. These were outlined by Hastings-Williams in a letter to the party’s leader, on Monday.

“With all the administrative task that has to be undertaken by the secretariat, I believe that the one-month period for preparation for such a congress can lead to confusion rather than having a fair and transparent process and outcome,” the politician, who is also a former government minister, penned.
She also expressed concerns that as General Secretary, she was not being integrally involved in the preparations. Additionally, Hastings-Williams highlighted that she has received complaints from several groups and party members, some in writing, that the records of the secretariat do not correspond with their previous submissions, and that their membership register does not reflect their true membership.
The General Secretary further revealed that many members also claim that they have been unable or will be unable to meet the short deadlines set for the submission of the delegates and other information because of the short notice period for Congress.
Hastings-Williams’ resignation follows the resignation of her predecessor, Geeta Chandan Edmonds, in 2022. Also resigning at that time had been party treasurer, Faaiz Mursalin. At the time Mursalin had resigned, he had also claimed a lack of financial accountability.
The PNC’s congress is set for this weekend, commencing Friday, June 28. In addition to Norton, PNC Parliamentarians Amanza Walton Desir and Roysdale Forde, SC., are also contesting for leadership. They both declined to comment on the latest resignation when contacted by this publication.
Norton is already grappling with the recent sexual allegation made against him by former Member of Parliament (MP) for Region 10, Vanessa Kissoon. In a video recording released last week, Kissoon accused Norton of threatening to rape her at gunpoint. Following that revelation, Norton’s supporters have taken to social media to ridicule Kissoon, currently a Linden Town Councillor.
However, other figures in the party and wider coalition have urged for an impartial investigation. Walton-Desir had said that the nature of the allegation cannot be ignored, and must be addressed with the seriousness it deserves. Additionally, PNC MP Annette Ferguson and APNU MP and General Secretary, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, had also called for due process to be followed.
It was subsequently announced that a group of senior Executives of the PNC, AKA the Council of Elders, has been called in to probe the sexual harassment allegation.