By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM LEADER Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday that Zhivargo Laing’s resignation from the Senate came as “no surprise” and “nothing new” to him or the party.

At a press conference yesterday Dr Minnis said he has had ongoing discussions with Mr Laing regarding his retirement and the party was not caught off guard.

“Senator Laing and I have had discussions and he decided this is probably the best time for him to resign for personal reasons. This has been an ongoing discussion so its nothing new to the party or to me,” he said.

As it relates to Senator Laing’s replacement, Dr Minnis said the party has already had discussions but the final decision as leader is his.

“As for his replacement, I am the leader so the decision will be mine. However, it will be discussed with my parliamentary colleagues, with my advisory council, etc, after which the final determination will be mine,” he said.

On Saturday, Senator Laing released a statement on Facebook announcing his resignation as a Senator and as Shadow Minister of Finance effective December 31, 2012.

Senator Laing said his decision was “personal” and is no reflection on the FNM and its leader. He also denied reports that he was resigning to join the church.

“I sought to provide the leader with sufficient advance notice in order that he might have time enough to select a replacement. My decision to resign is deeply personal and in no way reflects upon the leader or my party, the Free National Movement. I fully expect that my life, going forward, will involve much travel and activities that will make it challenging for me to give the level of service to the Senate that would be required. I thanked Dr. Minnis for reposing the trust he did in me to serve as a Free National Movement Senator, even if for this brief while. I pledged to remain available to assist him and/or our FNM Party, wherever possible and wish him every success going forward. I will be delivering my letter of resignation to the President of the Senate in short order,” he said.

“My dear friends, please know that my decision to leave the Senate has nothing to do with the church. I will not be going to the church to be a pastor or anything else. I remain committed to my faith and will always do what I can to advance the cause of Christ, but those liars who wish to make this about my going to the church and guessing about that need be silenced. I am not going full time or part time into any church.”

Senator Laing was appointed to the Senate on May 16 after unsuccessfully running in Fort Charlotte in the last general election.

Former Education Minister Desmond Bannister, former Deputy House Speaker Kwasi Thompson and attorney Heather Hunt were also appointed FNM Senators.