Blythe says Portia does not want to face him in a leadership debate

People's National Party (PNP) leadership aspirant Dr Karl Blythe is suggesting that party president Portia Simpson Miller is shying away from engaging him in a debate.

Weeks ago, Dr Blythe wrote to the PNP secretariat calling for a debate.

But, in an interview with The Gleaner this morning, Bylthe said he has not received a reply from the party or Simpson Miller's campaign team.

Meanwhile, Blythe said he does not expect Simpson Miller to take up his challenge for a debate as she also failed to do with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Andrew Holness in the lead up to the February 2016 general elections.

The PNP leadership elections will be held next month at its annual conference.

IN PHOTO: PNP President Portia Simpson Miller

The PNP had refused to participate in a national political debate with the JLP citing concerns about remarks made by Holness.

The PNP was criticised for its posture and an appraisal committee set up by the Comrades to review the party’s election defeat found that the refusal to participate in the debate contributed to the loss.