ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 29, CMC – The main opposition New National Party (NNP) Wednesday dismissed charges made by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas that it had conspired with a government backbencher to bring a new vote of no confidence in his administration.

Former foreign affairs minister Karl Hood filed the motion against Prime Minister Thomas last Friday, nearly two months after he resigned from the cabinet amidst lingering internal wrangling within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Thomas said the NNP headed by former prime minister Dr. Keith Mitchell “unmistakably inspired” the motion.

“In the circumstances, this latest motion is a blatant act of disobedience and dishonour; it is highly unpatriotic, reckless, self-serving and disrespectful of the people of Grenada.

“This second motion in three months is unmistakably inspired by the NNP. It is not only intended to deny Grenadians their joy and peace, but it is also motivated by spite and a determination to pre-empt any improvement in our economic and financial fortunes,” Prime Minister Thomas told nationals.

But speaking at a news conference here, NNP chairman, Gregory Bowen, dismissed the accusation, telling reporters “we are certainly not in collusion with Hood.

“It appears that members are now seeing what the New National Party has been saying all along” Bowen said.

In May, Hood abstained from casting a vote when the NNP brought a vote of no confidence against prime Minister Thomas which he survived by an 8-3 margin.

“If we have a principled position then we should hold that principled position irrespective of where it comes from. Are you suggesting that if it is brought by us we support but if it is brought by others we don’t support?” asked Bowen.

“So whether or not we like the mover of the motion, whether or not we like the timing in which it comes .I think the principle would require the New National Party to take a particular action”.

NNP legislator, Dwight Horsford also dismissed suggestions that the party had colluded with Hood to file the motion, telling reporters “we are not in league with anybody.

“What you have to focus on is that the motion is coming from Government backbenchers. Government MPs themselves are filing this motion so it’s not about NNP’s role”.

The NNP said that its leader is due to return here from the United States later on Wednesday and would host a news conference at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.