Singh has steadfastly refused to comment on this issue beyond saying that he was still at his desk.

The differences were over the recently approved Public Procurement Bill because of the President’s unhappiness with amendments which the Attorney-General advised should be made to accord with proper legal standards. The differences flared up at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting after which sources say Singh tendered his resignation.

A letter to the Stabroek News published yesterday however pointed out that Article 229 of the Constitution provides that once a minister tenders his resignation he can only legally continue in office if he is re-appointed by the President.

Singh is the third Attorney-General since the PPP/C came to power in 1992 and is one of two non-elected ministers appointed by President Jagdeo after the March 19, 2001 elections.

He succeeded Charles Ramson SC who was not re-appointed after the 2001 elections. Ramson succeeded now PPP/C backbencher Bernard De Santos SC, the first holder of the post in the PPP/C administration, who resigned for health reasons.