PNP Vice President, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is denying an allegation by a PNP activist that he’s involved in a move to replace PNP President, Dr. Peter Phillips.
The denial by Dr. McNeill comes as tensions are rising in the Opposition PNP.
The tensions are rising following an announcement last week by the PNP that Dr. Phillips is battling stage 3 colon cancer.
PNP activist, Karen Cross, took to Facebook on the weekend and demanded an explanation about why one of his surrogates was allegedly calling MPs and seeking to canvass support for Dr. McNeill to be installed as interim- PNP President.
But in a statement to the media last evening, McNeill said the claims are false.
The PNP Vice President says he expects Dr. Phillips will soon resume working.
Dr. McNeill says he’s confident that the party can overcome current challenges.
In the meantime, the issue of the future direction of the PNP leadership is expected to be raised during a meeting of the party’s officer corp later this week.
There’s a view in some sections of the party that before the end of the year, there’s a possibility that Phillips may have to walk away as Opposition Leader and PNP President while he copes with the adverse effects of chemotherapy.
It’s understood that a suggestion that the NEC should mandate the appointment of Dr. McNeill as interim-PNP President is not going down well in some party circles.
Supporters of Peter Bunting have reportedly hit out at the suggestion and argued that if Dr. Phillips decides to leave the scene, the democratic process should not be circumvented.
The PNP constitution recommends that a special delegates conference be had should the post of party President become vacant.
