PM withdraws from Commonwealth meeting 

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, hours after the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs confirmed she would attend. 

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers will represent Trinidad and Tobago. No reason was given for the change. 

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne criticised the Prime Minister’s attendance record at important regional meetings and international summits. 

He referenced her absence from the CARICOM Heads of Government retreat in Nevis earlier this year and described her as having the “lowest work ethic in our history”. 

Browne also questioned whether the Prime Minister’s presence in Trinidad or Antigua would make any difference to ordinary citizens.