21st. August 2012, St. John’s Antigua- He’s facing health problems, financial difficulties and now Senator Elmore ‘Tamo’ Charles is facing the boot from the United Progressive Party (UPP).

Bowing to public criticism over the absentee senator who continues to benefit from the scarce financial resources of the state, the UPP has moved, at its own pace, to replace Charles, OBSERVER Media has learnt.

That’s been the subject of ongoing talks within the party’s top brass since a July 31 deadline for the financially embattled senator to show or go.

The UPP has also been actively searching for a replacement and that search has zeroed in on Ainsworth Grant, the man who in May threw his hat into the ring as an independent candidate.

Grant said he has been having talks with Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer about playing a role in the UPP administration but the discussion did not include a possible senatorial appointment.

“This decision is with the prime minister and his government and so I will await whatever decision is being made. What I can confirm is that there is no definitive agreement that I will be the next senator,” Grant said.

For the most part, the UPP leadership has remained silent on the question of Charles’ absence and at times has even appeared sympathetic to the United States-based senator.

But his failure to show after July 31 left the party with no choice, according to our source who expects the UPP to revoke Charles’ appointment in a matter of days.

Senator Charles has reportedly been overseas seeking treatment for his health and at each sitting of the Senate has reportedly communicated an excuse to the Upper House.

While the senator has been away, several notices have been posted in this newspaper indicating a High Court judgment against him in favour of RBTT Bank Caribbean Limited.

The judgment, dated May 8, 2012, orders Senator Charles to pay the bank just over $6 million forthwith. The ruling was made without a trial since the UPP Senator failed to defend himself in the matter. It did not indicate an alternative to a default of payment.

Tags: ainsworth | Baldwin Spencer | court judgment | definitive agreement | financial difficulties | independent candidate | public criticism | senator charles | tamo | upper house