Who will take the eighth Senate seat Friday?

Romario Scott/Gleaner Writer

All eyes will be on Friday's sitting of the Senate to see whether Norman Horne takes his seat as the eighth Opposition senator ending a month-long saga that has caused embarrassment to the People’s National Party (PNP). 

According to a Senate agenda obtained by The Gleaner, among the items listed for Friday is 'oath of allegiance'. 

There has been controversy in the PNP over the Senate seat which Opposition Leader Mark Golding attempted to fill with Peter Bunting last week.

However, Bunting was unable to take up the post because Horne was still a senator.

Horne had publicly declared his intention to forego the Senate appointment so close to a presidential election, arguing that he would have allowed the new Opposition leader to select his or her nominee. 

With Golding prevailing in an internal election, relationships in the PNP further deteriorated. 

Horne earlier this week, fired a salvo at Golding accusing him of trying to crush his opposition. 

“The status quo of the PNP has resulted in the mixed feelings that I am having regarding my resignation from the Senate,” Horne said in a statement.  

The Gleaner understands that Horne was called to King’s House Thursday, but it was not immediately clear whether he attended. 

It is believed that the businessman was being called to King’s House to clarify allegations that he is a United States citizen and therefore would be ineligible to sit in the Upper House. 

Horne has been silent on the issue, even as there was a demand by the PNP that he discloses whether he was a United States citizen.  

On Tuesday Golding ally Anthony Hylton told The Gleaner that he was disappointed with the turn of events labelling them "an own goal”. 

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