Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley last night revoked the appointment of Stuart Young as Communications Minister.
Former Laventille East MP Donna Cox will take the oath of office on Monday and will take over that portfolio. She will be brought in as a senator and replace Foster Cummings, whose appointment was also revoked by the Prime Minister. Cox was last posted as the consul general in the T&T New York consulate.
Young still holds the portfolios of National Security Minister and Minister in the Office Prime Minister.
In response to the PM's decison, Young stated in a Facebook post, " I would like to thank our Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, for the opportunity to have served as the Minister of Communications in addition to my other ministerial portfolios. I welcome the addition of Ms Donna Cox as the new Minister of Communications and pledge my continued commitment to serve the Country as the Minister of National Security and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.
I have always maintained that it is a privilege to serve and I certainly will continue to give of my best as a servant of the people of Trinidad and Tobago."
In its front-page editorial titled “The Breaking Point: An open letter to Trinidad and Tobago” Guardian Media called on Rowley to reduce Young’s ministerial load so he can focus more on his National Security portfolio.
In a statement issued at 8.28 pm, Rowley announced that he had advised President Paula-Mae Weekes to appoint Cox as Communications Minister. Cox will be sworn in at 10.30 am on Monday at the President’s House.