Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer

HORNE

BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:

Senator A.J. Nicholson, legal adviser to the governing People's National Party (PNP), has ruled that former Opposition Senator Norman Horne is currently ineligible to run for any position within the party.

The ruling, which came at the party's weekly executive meeting held at PNP headquarters on Monday, rendered Mr. Horne powerless to challenge House Speaker, Michael Peart, for the position of chairman for Region Five.

No doubt

Mr. Peart, who is also Member of Parliament for South Manchester, told The Gleaner shortly after the meeting that he was never in doubt of Mr. Horne's ineligibility to challenge him for the position.

Mr. Peart also noted that the PNP's legal adviser made it clear in his ruling that everything should be done to preserve the party's integrity.

The conference, scheduled for this Saturday in Mandeville, will witness delegates from the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth meeting to elect a regional executive, including a chairman.

They will also select a number of persons to sit on the party's National Executive Council (NEC). The NEC is the highest decision-making body of the PNP, outside of its annual conference.

When contacted by The Gleaner, Mr. Horne refused to comment on the party's ruling.