Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said he had been in talks with Senator Zhivargo Laing about Mr. Laing’s desire to leave front line politics well before he made his resignation from the Senate public this weekend.

At a press conference held at the party’s Mackey Street headquarters on Sunday, Dr. Minnis said while many Bahamians might have been surprised by the move, many with access to the FNM’s internal agenda were not, as this was something the FNM leader said was in the making for months.

“Senator Laing and I have had discussions and we have decided, he has decided, that this was probably the best time for him to resign for personal reasons,” he said. “This has been an ongoing discussion, so this is nothing new for the party, for me.”

In a release dated Saturday November 10, 2012, Mr. Laing said he informed Dr. Minnis in a letter dated November 9, 2012, that after careful thought he has decided not to remain in the Senate beyond the end of this year and ultimately tendered his resignation from the Senate and as Shadow Minister of Finance effective December 31, 2012.

“I sought to provide the leader with sufficient advanced notice in order that he might have time enough to select a replacement,” the release further read. “My decision to resign is deeply personal and in no way reflect upon the leader or my party, The Free National Movement.

“I fully expect that my life going forward, will involve much travel and activities that will make it challenging for me to give the level of service to the Senate that would be required.”

In the release, Mr. Laing thanked Dr. Minnis for entrusting him with the position and pledged to remain available to assist the party wherever possible.

Mr. Laing he plans to soon deliver his letter of resignation to Senate President Sharon Wilson.

Yesterday Dr. Minnis told the press that the decision as to who replaces Mr. Laing in the Upper Chamber is ultimately his, but added that party leaders are still in talks as to who that will be.

“That will be discussed with my parliamentary colleagues, with my advisory council,” he said. “After which the final determination will be mine.”

The FNM is slated to hold elections for top positions in the party, like chairman and deputy chairman, on Thursday but Dr. Minnis declined to say if Mr. Laing’s replacement would be announced on that day.