Following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine and two inert mortar shells at the home of San Fernando West MP Sadiq Baksh, Mr Panday made the outlandish claim that the items were planted as part of a plan to have Mr Baksh arrested for terrorism.

As an attorney, Mr Panday would know that there is no such charge, and that even if there were, it would hardly likely be able to prevent Mr Baksh from taking his seat in Parliament whenever it is summoned. But truth, it seems, is no impediment to the UNC leader’s rhetorical excesses.

Speaking to his supporters in Felicity, Mr Panday spoke of rumours he had heard, of several warrants already drawn up for the arrest of his MPs. The Commissioner of Police promptly denied that allegation. This, however, has not stopped Mr Panday. The UNC leader on Friday spoke of a “secret press conference” between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and a group of reporters in which Mr Manning reported that the UNC leader would be arrested this week.

The reporters have all denied being given any such news by the Prime Minister. More from Express