PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC):

Freed of a corruption conviction, Basdeo Panday went to Trinidad and Tobago's House of Representatives Wednesday, determined to contribute to the debate, but the Patrick Manning administration adjourned the House before he could speak.

The former Prime Minister and former leader of the opposition United National Congress was caught off guard by the unexpected adjournment.

Mr. Panday said that if House Speaker Barry Sinanan refuses to allow him to speak, he will sue the speaker.

Ten minutes into the sitting, government lawmakers suspended sittings of the lower chamber in an effort to avoid a confrontation with the former opposition leader.

The suspension is to last until the High Court rules on whether Panday's old Couva North is vacant.

"Until the High Court rules, we shall not sit," said Leader of Government Business Ken Valley.

He said he was confident that the Lower House will resume sittings sooner.

"A member who is not summoned to the Parliament has no place in the Parliament. If he is coming here for confrontation, the Government's obligation is to ensure that there is no con-frontation in this House," Valley said.

Yet, when asked if the Government was afraid of Panday, Valley said, "No. We are afraid of his bringing this House into disrepute, right, and we will protect the House against that."

Panday has attempted to resume his parliamentary service after the Appeal Court quashed his conviction for failing to disclose a London bank account to the Integrity Commission while he was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999.