Three United National Congress (UNC) dissident members have vowed to return to the courts if they have to, in order to gain respect from party leader Basdeo Panday.

Party regional co-ordinators and executive members Dr Rupert Griffith, Sylvester Ramquar and Don Sylvester attended the party’s executive meeting together for the first time since their suspension on Wednesday.

Ramquar and Griffith both attended last week’s meeting and said they were treated with disrespect and ignored by Panday.

The trio had taken Panday and members of the executive to court after charges of indiscipline were levelled against them leading to their suspension.

High court Judge Sebastian Ventour had granted an interim declaration to the effect that what transpired was a clear violation of rights of an individual.

He also called on all parties involved to take time and talk out the matter.

The case was then adjourned for March next year for trial.

Ramquar, speaking to the media at the Rienzi Complex, Couva, on Wednesday said that upon his and Griffith’s return to the meeting, there were unfriendly faces.

’No one took the opportunity to say welcome back, let’s rub shoulders and work together,’ said Ramquar.

He said he rose two matters of concern at the meeting, the first being questionable conduct with respect to elections of executive bodies in various constituencies and the second was the failure of the executive to invite the three men to the weekly meetings.

Ramquar claimed Panday ignored his concerns.

’We are not going to accept that lying down ... if we have to go to court again by affidavit and talk about the continued disrespect for us, notwithstanding the judge’s pronouncement, so be it,’ said Ramquar.

Questioned whether they intend to defend their position at the party’s internal elections carded for January 24, 2010, the three men unanimously declared they would.

’For 40 years of my life I serving the people and I am not going to let one 79-year-old man affect my future,’ said Ramquar.

Sylvester added that the people would not support the persons who are running against them.

Griffith said they intend to continue pressing for change in the party.

He added that they will continue to be present weekly to attend the executive meetings.

On Wednesday, however, the men were forced to leave the Complex as there was no quorum for the meeting.