PM: Confidence lost in Alleyne

Former UTC Chairman Herbert Alleyne was removed following a report from the Governor of the Central Bank which indicated that there was a “loss of  confidence” in him. According to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, at a post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall yesterday, the Governor (Ewart Williams) was of the view that the time had come to replace Alleyne. Asked about the fact that Alleyne learned about his dismissal through the media, Manning said the Minister involved was Conrad Enill. “But I don’t think what is being insinuated (that the protocol was improper) is correct. I think that the appropriate procedures were entered into in relation to the revocation of Mr Alleyne’s appointment,” he said.

He said the method of appointment of the chairman showed that Government had an integral part and was “not without responsibility”  in the formulation of the policies which guide the operations of  the UTC. The appointment of the UTC chairman is done on the recommendation of the Central Bank to the Minister of Finance who in turns takes it to Cabinet and then advises the President. But the Prime Minister didn’t want to talk about UTC, for fear of undermining confidence in the financial sector. “Exactly who did what and who was responsible for every nuance, really doesn’t need detain us,” he said. Asked if he was afraid that there would be a run on the institution, Manning said “no  such thing would happen.” He said the Government had “no view or responsibility” in Alleyne’s resignation as chairman of the Board of the Agricultural Development Bank.