Mayaro MP Rushton Paray has released a statement regarding his absence during a vote in the Parliament last Friday to extend the period for the Auditor General to examine and report on T&T’s finances.

At the UNC’s 35th anniversary celebration yesterday, party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said only 14 UNC MPs were present for the vote, as she accused them of ‘breaking biche’.

Mr Paray said he was present and supported all of his colleagues durin g their contributions.

He adds that he left when the session ended at 6pm, as there was no indication to him that there was to be a vote on the motion relating to the Auditors General Report.

Mr Paray insisted that had he known, he would have made himself available.

He also accused the Opposition Leader of looking to attack UNC members instead of holding the PNM to account.

The MP also explained that he chose to respond to this situation, despite remaining silent after the “barrage of insults and attempts at character assassination” that followed his call for the internal UNC elections to be held.

Tabaquite MP, Anita Haynes-Alleyne has also responded to criticism over her absence.