Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has defended her selection of defeated election candidates Foster Cummings and Faris Al-Rawi as senators, citing their experience and service.

In response to a question at a Red House news conference, following Friday’s ceremonial opening of Parliament in Port of Spain, Beckles said former People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley was a defeated candidate when he entered the Senate in 1986. (Rowley had been defeated in Tobago West in 1981.)

brought back: Opposition Senator Foster Cummings walks through the Parliament Chamber during Friday’s ceremonial opening.