Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Denis Kellman was not included in the new Cabinet under Prime Minister David Thompson.

This development, which has created much talk across Barbados since Thompson announced his Cabinet Saturday night, will see the St Lucy representative sitting on the back bench of the House of Assembly.

Kellman, from his St Thomas home Saturday night however said he was not offended by the Prime Minister's decision.

"A Prime Minister has the prerogative to do whatever he feels. He is free to choose his senators, ministers and staff. That is his right under the Constitution and I cannot be offended," he told the DAILY NATION.

Kellman, who has had four general election victories and was the lone Opposition MP alongside Thompson when the DLP suffered its massive 26-2 defeat in 1994, was for the past 14 years seen as a senior Opposition member and a possible deputy to Thompson.

Asked whether his omission from the Cabinet was expected, Kellman said he preferred not to comment. He added, however, that as far as the public was concerned, "it's not for me to worry about how it goes down with the public; it's for him to worry".

"I feel good, man. I have peace of mind," added Kellman, who in 2003 sided with the then Government refusing to support a private member's resolution brought by Thompson in Parliament to reduce the quorum of the Public Accounts Committee from four MPs to two.

And just last month, he was the sole Opposition MP to turn up in the House following a boycott by his party colleagues to register their protest against a ruling by the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Kellman dismissed rumours he had been offered a ministry and the position of Speaker, but said he would continue to pursue his constituency objectives in Parliament.

"I have goals for St Lucy; that's why I came to Parliament, and I think I've done well in Opposition."

As to the view that he is seen as a maverick, he added: "Political parties need mavericks to show them where they're wrong. I believe if the Barbados Labour Party had one, they would be in Government today."

Kellman attended yesterday's historic public swearing-in ceremony for the new Cabinet at Kensington Oval.