Casandra Thompson-Forbes
Dr. Denise Tsoiaffat -Angus has resigned as presiding officer of the Tobago House of Assembly.
In a leaked email yesterday titled - Resignation of the Presiding Officer of the Tobago House of Assembly to Clerk of the Assembly Edwards- Louis, sought to inform the members of the house of her decision
"Please inform the Members of the Tobago House of Assembly Legislature that pursuant to section 19 (1) (b) of the Tobago House of Assembly Act #40 of 1996, my resignation has been tendered to the Office of the President," the correspondence said.
In the interim, the office would be handed over to the Deputy Presiding Officer Ancil Dennis with effect from today.
In the letter she said, "I wish to extend sincere gratitude to all members for their confidence in my ability and therefore unanimously endorsing my appointment to perform in the role as presiding officer. It has indeed been a pleasure working with you and the staff."
Tsoiaffat -Angus is expected to hold a press conference at the Assembly Legislature to give further details
Sources say, Angus' resignation comes as a signal that she intends to contest the position of political leader in the upcoming Tobago Council internal elections scheduled for January 2020.
Back in April 2016, now Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, who was also Presiding Officer, made similar moves ahead of him contesting for the post of political leader of the Tobago Council of the PNM.
Other members tipped to run for the position of political leader are Kelvin Charles, Ancil Dennis, Tracy Davidson-Celestine and Joel Jack.