By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement is still in the process of consulting on who will replace Senator Zhivargo Laing when his resignation takes effect at the end of the year.

Party Chairman Darron Cash made the announcement yesterday after news circulated that former cabinet Minister Carl Bethel was the FNM’s pick to fill the position. Later, the ZNS News Network carried the information.

However, Mr Cash blasted the Network for broadcasting “false news.”

“That information is not correct,” he said, “Dr Hubert Minnis, our leader, has made it clear that he is undertaking a broad consultation with the FNM council and other members of the party. That process is not completed yet. When it is we will make an announcement.

“I listened out for an apology from ZNS on their later broadcast but I didn’t hear one. I was disappointed that they didn’t issue one later in the day.”

Mr Cash would not say if Mr Bethel was in the running to become the party’s next Senator or who the party was considering.

“I cannot say who is being considered or if Mr Bethel is among those being looked at, when the choice is made, we will make an announcement.”

As for the series of e-mails circulating purporting to have the inside scoop of the party’s workings, Mr Cash said those stories are just a product of someone’s imagination.

Former State Finance Minister Zhivargo Laing, more than two weeks ago announced through Facebook that he would be stepping down from his Senate seat of which he was sworn in on May 16.

While Mr Laing said his decision was the result of personal convictions, there was still speculation that the decision came in the wake of turmoil inside the FNM.

However, Dr Minnis said that the news was no surprise. In fact he said he and Mr Laing had been in discussions for quite sometime. They both agreed that the timing was right, Dr Minnis said.

Mr Laing, who was first elected to parliament in 1997, suffered a huge defeat at the polls on May 2012. His resignation will become official on December 31, 2012.