Former PNM MP for St Joseph and government minister Kennedy Swaratsingh's presence caused a stir at the United National Congress's (UNC) economic forum town hall meeting on March 27 at the La Joya Complex auditorium in St Joseph.

Swaratsingh, who has been out of politics since losing his seat in the 2010 general election, explained he had been living and working in Barbados for the past 15 years due to an inability to find a job in Trinidad after leaving politics. He spoke about his 20 years spent as a Catholic priest, having joined the seminary monks at the age of 18 and being ordained in 1991.

Admitting he had to borrow a suit to attend the meeting, Swaratsingh humorously said he was more accustomed to wearing T-shirts, shorts and slippers while living in Barbados.