Now that a deputy director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was sworn in by President Anthony Carmona, head of the authority, David West, says the PCA is now fully constituted to initiate their independent investigations into incidents involving police officers and mentally ill patients.

Recently, public outrage sparked where two mentally ill patients were killed by police officers in separate incidents.

In March, mentally ill patient, Paul Marchan, 30, was shot and killed after he reportedly attacked a family member and tried to stab two police officers at Richplain, Diego Martin

Also, in May, mentally ill patient Miguel Rodriguez, 24, was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer during an altercation near a bar in Moruga.

The country’s first female deputy director of the PCA, Michelle Solomon-Baksh, received her instrument of appointment yesterday.

West, while being questioned by members of the media following the brief ceremony, said t since the resignation of the former deputy director in May, the authority was not fully constitutional and thus could not proceed with requests, investigations and recommendations.

West said with Solomon-Baksh now assuming the position, he will proceed to write to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and ask him to send reports of what transpired in the recent incidents.

“Retroactively, we will now start to initiate and look and see what has been done, audit and monitor the investigations,” West said.

He added that recommendations will also be made with regards to training police officers to deal with the mentally ill and handicapped.

“We are looking at other countries and what they do to train their officers and go along those lines. I have already been speaking to the acting commissioner of police about it and on the way forward,” West said.

West, in welcoming Solomon-Baksh on board, described her as an “excellent hardworker” and one in which her integrity is unquestionable.

Newly appointed Government Senator Allyson West says she will focus on tax administration after she is sworn in as Minister in the Finance Ministry today.

West, in her first interview since being appointed, said her ministerial appointment was taking place at “a very difficult time in the country (and) I have a tough task ahead of me.” She said, however, she has “quite a lot of experience in the tax area (and) that will be my focus and I am very hopeful that I can make a positive difference.”

Asked if citizens should be fearful of her appointment because of her focus on taxes, West smiled and said ,”No, my objective would be to ensure that taxes are fairly and properly applied (and) I really want to bring the concept of service to the tax area and ensure that the administration recognises that the taxpayers are our clients, so that we deal with them more efficiently , we give them their refunds but we collect the taxes that are due to the Government.”

She also worked previously at the Board of Inland Revenue as a State Counsel. She said she had “short stints in teaching” and was part of the implementation team for the VAT system- which was introduced under former prime minister Arthur Robinson during the 1985 to 1991 term. She was also a representative on the permanent and negotiating double taxation treaty committees.

West insisted yesterday she remains committed “to the tax system and getting it working properly.”

She said she was not surprised by the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint her as minister, adding that she knew the Prime Minister “for quite some time and I do know he appreciates my knowledge in the area (tax administration), so it didn’t shock me .”

She said, however, that she was “hoping to avoid a political post because I have shied away from politics all my life but Prime Minister Rowley said if we need to get it done properly this is how we need to do it , so I accepted the challenge.”

Asked to elaborate, West said she is “happy with the Ministry of Finance but the position of senator is not something I would have gravitated towards but I was called to serve and I have decided to take up the challenge.”

She said her first priority will be to gather information on the BIR. West said she wants “to see where the BIR is at with their challenges to determine what we can do differently as soon as possible.”

She said the establishment of the Revenue Authority is also on the agenda.

West said she “always thought that was the way to go. We have lost too many good people from the BIR because of the inflexibility of the public service, so if we create

some more flexibility in terms of remuneration , hiring and firing people, promotion based on merit rather than seniority , I think we will produce a better organisation.”

West said taxpayers should “recognise that we all have a responsibility , we are placing great demands on the Government and the demands don’t decrease with the government’s revenues.”

She also said: “To enable the Government to meet those demands we need to play our part, and if we all play our part then the burden is spread more evenly and it doesn’t fall on a few of us . So the issue of increasing tax rates should not arise if everybody is paying the correct amount of taxes, so that will be my focus.”

Home owners and business operators in western Trinidad have been warned to desist from constructing illegal carriageways/driveways and installing metal vehicular ramps as the Port-of-Spain City Corporation could soon be embarking on action to remove the structures.

Persons found to be in breach of the law can face a maximum fine of $5,000, plus an additional $500 thereafter, for each day the offence continues.

Pleading for the corporation to take action now, St James East Councillor, Jameel Bisnath, said it is time that errant law-breakers be made an “example.”

Making the impassioned plea during the corporation’s monthly statutory meeting at City Hall yesterday, Bisnath urged the council to take immediate action to ensure persons comply with the law as it was proving to be a “nuisance.”

Renewing the call he has been making for the past year, Bisnath said the problem increased as residential and commercial entities continued to ignore the regulations governing the construction of carriageways/driveways within the municipality.

Act 21 of 1990, section 125 (1) states, “No person may break up or open the surface pavement, or soil of any street within a Municipality which is maintainable by the Council or lay any pipe or wire or any other matter or thing in or under any such street or any part of the subsoil thereof for any purpose, or place or erect any pole, post hoarding or barricade or other structure in any such street without the prior consent of the Council.”

Urging mayor Joel Martinez to act, Bisnath said, “People putting down things left, right and centre, all over. Even on Independence Square.”

Appealing for some kind of assurance the problem would be addressed in the short-term, Bisnath explained, “People are putting down illegal metal ramps on the streets to access their properties and this is blocking the free flow of water and also hindering persons from parking.”

He added, “These ramps have the drains looking very nasty as our sweepers cannot get access to under them as a tractor is needed to remove them for the drain to be cleaned.”

Acknowledging that each property was allowed one entrance, he said persons without an entrance were entitled to come in to the City Engineer’s Department and apply for one at no cost to them. Bisnath added that the same rule applied to persons wanting additional entrances.

He warned that while there was no cost attached to constructing an entrance, the home-owner or business operator would be billed for the removal of any illegal structures by the corporation.

Bisnath said errant persons would be given a notice to desist and remove the ramps in the first instance, before the POSCC would take action.

During yesterday’s meeting, Martinez also commended the staff of the corporation for their efforts to ensure homes and businesses were not adversely affected by the passage of last week’s Tropical Storm Bret.

He applauded the commitment of the Disaster Management Unit under the stewardship of Keith Cook, whom he said was on hand to assist the three families who lost their roofs during the storm as well as the other four households who were left without an electricity supply after a pole was downed.

Martinez said the corporation had also begun a regularisation exercise along Charlotte St. as he said officials had already begun meeting with registered vendors to inform them of the process to revitalise that part of the City.

After 14 hours of intense prayers and a massive operation by police and army for the safe return of San Fernando businessman Gregory Laing, he was set free by his captors in the Beetham Gardens last evening.

The T&T Guardian learned that Laing was released following the payment of a ransom and was picked up by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) on the roadside around 5.05 pm. ACP Irwin Hackshaw said Laing was then taken to the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex in Mt Hope for a check-up. Investigators said he had minor bruises to the face and was to be interviewed and taken back to his home in St Joseph Village, San Fernando, last evening.

Up to last night, there was a large contingent of police and soldiers combing the Laventille and Beetham Garden districts searching for suspects.

Laing, 54, whose family owns the popular Puff N Stuff Bakery along Circular Road, Vistabella and the Trade Winds Hotel in St Joseph Village, was the latest of three south business owners to be kidnapped in recent years. Designer Kirby Mohammed and produce importer Caroline Katwaroo were both kidnapped 2015 while hair stylist Ria Sookdeo was taken in 2016. Those three victims were never found and ransoms were not demanded.

Yesterday around 3 am, police said Laing went to open the bakery so staff could begin preparations for the 6 am opening. Around 3.10 am, one of his employees arrived and saw his Mercedes Benz at the side of the building with a cell phone and a bunch of keys on the ground. One of his brothers reported to police that around 4 am he received a phone call from someone demanding a ransom of $270,000 for his safe return. The call was said to have originated from the Beetham Gardens area.

A party of officers from the San Fernando CID and Mon Repos Police Station, led by Insp Don Gajadhar, responded and statements were taken from a few people. Laing’s car was taken to the Mon Repos Police Station for processing. There were no CCTV cameras nearby and police said they were not able to get a description of possible suspects or the vehicle used in the kidnapping. They suspect he was held up at the business and taken away.

Following the kidnapping, DCP Harold Phillip called a meeting of senior officers, which included Snr Supt Boxhill, ASP Ajit Persad, Snr Supt Mohammed, Insp Gajadhar and officers from the Port-of-Spain Division, Southern Division, AKU and the T&T Defence Force.

There were several social media reports that Laing was found earlier in the day, but Hackshaw confirmed he was only found around 5.05 pm. He said police had aggressively pursued all leads in an effort to safely return Laing to his family. Relatives and staff declined to speak about his disappearance earlier in the day, saying it was at a sensitive stage. However, it was business as usual as the bakery remained open. San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, however, condemned the “reprehensible actions” by Laing’s kidnappers.

Regrello said while the city has mostly avoided the brunt of criminal activity in T&T, the kidnapping further galvanized the need for all citizens to take back the city. He called on citizens who may have information regarding the kidnapping to contact the San Fernando police and pass on any information.

“Mr Laing is one of San Fernando’s model business owners and is noted for providing employment to many of the citizens of San Fernando, while the charitable contributions of his company are a testament to Mr Laing’s dedication towards the city of San Fernando,” Regrello said.

Legal moves have been initiated against the Congress of the People (COP) giving the party until today to halt the candidacy of Nicole Dyer-Griffith in the party’s July 9 leadership election.

If not, court proceedings will commence to secure this, according to a pre-action protocol letter from attorney Alvin Ramroop to COP↔Leader Dr Anirudh Mahabir and COP↔general secretary Clyde Weatherhead. It was sent on Tuesday. Responses were sought from them by yesterday but a requested extension shifted that deadline to today.

Griffith -Dyer is contesting the poll along with Carolyn Seepersad- Bachan and Sharon Gopaul- McNichol.

However, attorney Ramroop, representing COP member Kirt Francis , a former executive officer, wrote the party regarding alleged unlawful ratification of new members and ineligibility of new members to vote at/ to contest leadership election.

The letter claimed COP’s ratification of Dyer-Griffith’s membership in COP↔was null and void since it didn’t meet party constitutional rules. It called for the party to bar Dyer- Griffith from contesting or voting in the election and to have systems in place for a national executive to be elected.

Mahabir said, “I’m not commenting on any letter or whether we received it..... we have no reason to postpone the election at this time,”

McNichol, who said she’d heard of the legal moves , but was not part of it , said she resigned as COP deputy leader and from the COP’s interim “lead team” on February 13 following concerns on “many matters including unorthodox” procedures.

However ,support for Dyer-Griffith has come from Opposition↔Senator Rodger Samuel who said, Her candidacy brings freshness to the party’s helm and she has the propensity to draw youths.,”

COP’s founder, Winston Dookeran, said Dyer- Griffith contacted him on Tuesday asking to speak with her and he confirmed he would be speaking with her .

On Monday, Carolyn Seepersad- Bachan indicated she had support from Dookeran. He’d endorsed her in the 2014 leadership poll.

Dookeran,who’s working overseas, told the T&T Guardian on Wednesday, “Carolyn did speak to me about her candidacy and I told her that I was happy there is a contest and that she has offered herself to stay in the politics. “

“Yesterday (Tuesday), Nicole e-mailed me a request to talk, and I will be more than pleased to do so. Other than that, I have been very much out of T&T, and do hope that the COP may again initiate a healthy, not fake, political narrative that touches the young persons of our country. Although, I am now far off, my hope is that a ‘team effort’ will emerge in our politics.”

Former leader Prakash Ramadhar said he didn’t think former leaders “should get involved in elections save in extreme circumstances , so if I have personal views, I’m not sharing them. But I won’t allow the party to fall,”

“Many clamoured for leadership for years, but weren’t willing to do the work and criticised without assisting. I saw it fit for those clamouring to take leadership to see what improvements they may or can bring until the next election.”

“ I learned we must always bring together all who are interested in improving citizens’ lives. That includes people you may not wish to befriend, but if we have a common goal, I’m willing to work with anyone on ideals COP espouses. In politics, you have the good, the bad and the ugly and you have to be able to work with as many to achieve power to make the necessary changes.”

The Rio Claro man who posted a Facebook message which threatened harm to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s family has apologised for his statements.

However, Rayad Mohammed may yet face legal sanction as the T&T Police Service is investigating the post while Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi says he may be in breach of the law under the Cybercrime Bill.

In a post on Facebook yesterday, Mohammed wrote: “Someone should find ROWLEY daughter and wife and slit their throats n rape them.” It was an apparent post in response to the gruesome double murder of Hafeeza Rose Mohammed, 56, and Videsh Subar, 13, in Malabar on Wednesday. (See other story)

The post was widely circulated on social media and drew scathing criticism from several people, with some labelling it racist. Hours later, Mohammed deleted the post and his account.

However, when the T&T Guardian tracked him down last evening, Mohammed, via a Whatsapp message response, humbly apologised for his words.

Trying to explain his reasoning behind the now-controversial post, Mohammed wrote: “I was n still am really pissed about the murders of the little boy n his care taker. What I meant with that post was that only when someone who is of rank or their family gets that then maybe they will do something about crime.”

Asked his response to those who criticised him, he wrote, “My intention is what I told you before.

“Hardly anyone acted like that for the murders, but a status I post n everyone thinks bad, why, because is the PM?”

Asked if he had any suggestions on how crime should be dealt with, he wrote, “Show the public that they are serious about it rather than just saying they do.”

He later elaborated on his apology, saying, “I am sorry for the way it was said but I didn’t mean it in that way n I humbly apologise for it and the way it was taken.”

Contacted yesterday, however, the AG said he was aware of the post and noted such posts constitute a criminal offense under the Cybercrime Act (see box). However, Al-Rawi refused to comment further on the issue.

Efforts to reach Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams by phone were unsuccessful.

However, a senior police officer who wished not to be identified confirmed they had already launched an investigation into the post and its author.

“It was sent to us and we are investigating. We have the name and photos of the individual, as well as where he can be found. Unfortunately, not any more can be said on the matter until our investigations are completed,” the officer said.

In August 2011, under the stewardship of then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, a 14-year-old girl shot into the spotlight when a video she made threatening Persad-Bissessar went viral.

The girl, referring to herself as “Granny Quila,” posted the video on Facebook and YouTube, hurling death threats, obscene, offensive, vulgar and racial remarks at Persad-Bissessar over the declaration of a state of emergency and curfew restrictions in certain communities.

At that time, then Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs publicly stated the incident would be investigated.

However, Persad-Bissessar met with the child days later after the child posted an apology video on her social media accounts and said she (Persad-Bissessar) had forgiven her for her actions.

Reminded of that incident yesterday, Mohammed replied, “Serious. Oh.”

Asked to respond to the possibility he might be charged for his statements, he wrote, “My cousin was murdered in 2011 n no one charged and all that lead to my status. I honestly didn’t mean anything by that statement except that which I told you before.”

He said he did not want to name his cousin and to those who might say he was not telling the truth about his relative, he said, “Everybody could say what they want, I know what I meant.”

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

According to the CyberCrime Bill 2017, Section 18 (1) A person who uses a computer system to communicate with the intention to cause harm to another person commits an offence.

2) In determining whether an offence is committed under this section, the Court may take into account any factor which it considers relevant, including—(a) the extremity of the language used in the communication; (b) the age and characteristics of the person involved; (c) whether the communication was anonymous; (d) whether the communication was repeated; (e) the extent of circulation of the communication; (f) whether the communication is true or false; and (g) the context in which the communication appeared.

(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—(a) on summary conviction to a fine of $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars) and to imprisonment for three years; or (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine of $250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand dollars) and imprisonment for five years.

(4) For the purposes of this section, “harm” means serious emotional distress.

The men who murdered Hafeeza Mohammed and Videsh Subar should surrender to police, as there is still chance for them to be reformed. At least that is the belief of Mohammed’s cousin Fareed Ramjohn.

Speaking at the funeral for Mohammed at the family’s Ajim Baskh Street, Malabar home yesterday, Ramjohn called on the men to turn away from the company they are keeping, as bad company can destroy.

“My first advice is to stop what you are doing. Second is to give up, although that is unlikely because you know jail isn’t nice,” Ramjohn told the gathering.

“Whatever the circumstances that you felt that made you do this crime, there is no excuse (for doing it). There is still chance for reform, for you to change. It could stop someone else from experiencing such a tragic end. Seek help! You need help. Change your friends and the company you keep.”

Earlier, Ramjohn said the men will see justice, as will every living person. He said the country should arm themselves not with weapons, but “with the Qur’an and communication with the creator.”

“No government, no police, no imam can solve the problem. It starts with each and every one of us. You and I need to be our brother’s keeper. Pray that the criminals reform themselves,” Ramjohn said.

Speaking before him, Mohammed’s sister-in-law, Indra Mohammed, recalled the family referring to her as a “walking slightly talking, doll”.

Mohammed said in the three years of marriage to her brother, Mohammed eventually opened up and blossomed into a hard working woman. She added that the outpouring of love and support that the family is currently receiving should continue after the funeral because the family will still be in need of it.

She called on parents to train their children to be contented and for communities to evolve into a more caring society.

Mohammed and Subar were found with their hand and feet bound and their throats slit in Mohammed’s home on Wednesday following what police believe was a home invasion.

Government has given the Port Authority of T&T (PATT) approval to lease two vessels, Cabo Star, and the passenger boat, Ocean Flower, to service the seabridge between Trinidad and Tobago.

Anytime after July 17 the Cabo Star will arrive in T&T and by September the Ocean Flower will follow.

The announcement of the acquisition of the two new vessels was made by PATT chairman, Allison Lewis, at a news conference at the Ministry of Works’ Port-of-Spain head office yesterday. Works Minister, Rohan Sinanan, who had promised an announcement would be made this week, sat among members of the media and allowed Lewis to tell the good news.

The Cabo Star and Ocean Flower, leased from Bridgemans Services Group of Vancouver, Canada, at a daily cost of US$22,500 (around TT$157,500) and US$26,500 (TT$185,500), respectively, are expected to fill the transportation gap created when the Super Fast Galicia left these shores in April after a contractual fallout with PATT.

The Cabo Star will cost the Government TT$4,725,000 around a month and the Oceal Flower, TT$5,565,000.

The MV Provider barge, rented daily for US$14,500 (TT$97,150), replaced the Galicia but has been unable to take truckers with their Cabo.

Tobago’s seabridge woes worsened when the T&T Spirit, one of the passenger boats, was put in dry dock for repairsl. The T&T Express has been the only passenger boat working between the islands but has been malfunctioning and causing travelling delays. This vessel, not operating at its optimum level, is expected to also be dry docked in September for a lengthy overhaul.

Tobagonians have been experiencing travelling woes, and reported food shortages, since the Galicia left.

Lewis said the Ocean Flower, with a speed of 38 knots, has a passenger capacity of 840 and can carry 158 vehicles at a time. The Cabo Star, unlike the Provider, has room for 120 passengers, including truckers.

She said the PATT made the recommendations for the acquisition of the vessels after it conducted a due diligence and inspection process.

“There has been speculation but we have done every single thing we needed to do get the vessels.”

She noted the leasing of the vessels are only an interim measure to deal with the extremely challenging ferry service situation. “This is not an end. This is just to take care of our immediate needs.”

She said the authority expects to acquire its own new, custom built Cabo vessel but this will not happen until after three years. She said in the meantime PATT will be looking for another charter vessel to bridge this three-year gap.

Government yesterday began paying out an estimated $10 million in flood relief to citizens who were adversely affected by Tropical Storm Bret almost two weeks ago.

Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, presented cheques valued at $10,000 each to more than 27 residents at her office on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

The payment was made in record time and many of the recipients openly expressed their gratitude to the minister for her speedy assistance.

Crichlow-Cockburn said more affected residents were expected to receive their cheques throughout the weekend and next week. She said she was aware of the challenges being faced by the affected residents and appealed to them to use the funds to ensure that they replace some of the appliances and furniture that were destroyed by floods .

Crichlow-Cockburn said her ministry “empathises and understand to a large extent what you have been through and we hope that this check helps to alleviate some of the suffering that you have been through.”

Later, in a brief interview, Crichlow-Cockburn said she was happy to have delivered the cheques in less than two weeks. She said cheques will be presented in different parts of the country in the coming days.

One resident from El Carmen, St Helena, Neemchan Seuraj, said he lost his fridge, stove, bed and couch during the storm. He said he was really appreciated what the Government has done for flood victims by providing this relief so quickly.

Tropical Storm Bret hit T&T on June 19, affecting citizens across the country but those in south and east suffered greater losses.

After not hearing a word from either the Integrity Commission or the T&T Police Service on the probe against her for the past 15 months, newly-appointed Minister of Public Utilities Marlene McDonald says it is time to move on with her life.

But McDonald yesterday made it clear that she could no longer live in the past, adding if she was not a strong woman she would have long crumbled under public pressure.

Her comments came minutes after she was presented with her instrument of appointment by President Anthony Carmona at President’s House, St Ann’s, following a brief swearing-in ceremony attended by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and guests.

In the 15 months she was out of the Cabinet, McDonald admitted she “sat in the wilderness,” “contemplated many things,” but maintained her dignity. But having being offered the ministerial post by Rowley after an impromptu reshuffle on Wednesday, McDonald said she was willing to take on the task ahead.

Asked if she was aware she was still under investigation by the Integrity Commission and the Fraud Squad, McDonald said after being removed as Housing Minister last March she had made herself available to all investigating bodies.

“I hid no where. It showed my bonfides…it showed that I was willing and still willing to speak to any authority…which ever authority is doing the investigation. And after 15 months no one has called me. Am I to sit for another 15 months in the past to listen to who say and I say? No! I am not doing that. If I was not a strong person we could have talked about mental. You see, I understand how to grow up tough.”

Saying she has been accessible all the time, McDonald said after receiving no word from the commission and the police “I have to move on.”

She noted, however, Rowley had reposed a lot of confidence in her to manage the ministry assigned to her.

“I have to look now at what is happening at Public Utilities. I will certainly have a discussion with the former minister, then I will be able to tell you about prioritisation.”

While McDonald has been cleared on part of the matters before the commission, a number of other allegations are still being investigated.

McDonald said she did receive two letters from the commission, one dated December, 2013, which she received in January 2014, and one dated March, 2015. The second letter stated the commission was going to reopen the case but in both instances she said the allegations were “baseless and they were named by nameless and faceless persons…mischievous in nature. And what happened, the Integrity Commission say there was no basis at all in the Integrity in Public Life Act that I had breached anything.”

“So am I to live in the past?” she asked, adding two of the letters were passed on to Rowley.

McDonald said she was investigated on the Calabar Foundation issue and her alleged purchase of houses from the Housing Ministry in other people’s names. She said there were other issues which were “frivolous and vexatious in nature.”

But she noted that the PM removed her to allow the authorities to do their investigation.

“You know what, there was also a public outcry to have the matter investigated. It was the best thing to do to remove me from the centre of it all…in the fear that I may tamper with whatever.”

When asked if she wanted closure on the matter, McDonald replied “in my mind I have closed that. So that question, talk to the investigating authorities.”

Contacted yesterday, Integrity Commission chairman Zainool Hosein maintained hey were is bound to silence under sections 20 and 35 of the Integrity in Public Life Act.

“I recognise that some may say that is it taking too long, but unfortunately we have to do the work that is thoroughly and efficiently as we can,” Hosein said.

He said, however, that if a complaint is made against a person, the commission will communicate with the individual and they will be given an opportunity to provide information and documents and answer to the allegations made.

“When they’ve done that and we have investigated everything, then we evaluate the recommendations made by the investigations department. Then we will make a determination.” See Page A10

More info 

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McDonald was fired from the Cabinet last March following media revelations that she had employed her common-law husband Michael Carew in her Port-of-Spain South constituency office. A report from Fixin T&T head Kirk Waithe stated he received information from Parliament which showed Carew and a director of the Calabar Foundation were employed at McDonald’s constituency office for five years, while Carew’s brother Lennox Carew still worked at the MP’s office. McDonald’s common-law husband, who worked at the office from June 1, 2010 to September 7, 2015, had earned a salary of $13,400 for the full parliamentary term while Lennox began working in the office on March 1, 2011 and had been in receipt of $14,000.

As the country continues to grapple with violent crimes, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams says the good work of the Police Service often goes unnoticed.

He made the comments at the opening ceremony of the Maracas Police Station in St Joseph yesterday.

“Many times the work of the Police Service is not effectively broadcasted and every day within a 24-hours period there are numerous success stories that we miss,” Williams said.

In highlighting some cases, Williams said over the past 24 hours a vehicle had been intercepted and a man was held with a series of items.

“Those items related to three larcenies, two of those were yet reported when the police would have already detected,” Williams said, adding that the man was arrested and charged.

In Central Division, the top cop said a man was held in Freeport and charged with possession of a revolver and six rounds of ammunition. Also in that division, Williams said police pursued a Tiida car which eventually crashed and the driver was arrested for possession of a Glock pistol and ten rounds of ammunition. The vehicle was suspected to be stolen.

At 1 pm on Thursday, Williams said a man was arrested along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway for driving a stolen vehicle, while in the Southern Division around 1 am yesterday police responded to a report and arrested a man for shop breaking. All the items were recovered and the man charged.

In Princes Town a man was also arrested on Thursday for possession of a home-made shotgun and a round of 12 gauge cartridges, while Point Fortin police recovered a pistol and a round of ammunition after a tip-off from the public.

“I am saying all this to share with you the everyday positive stories of the Police Service missed by the society and people are of the opinion that nothing good is happening,” Williams said.

“I want to give the society the assurance that every single day success stories like these occur in T&T from the effort of the Police Service.”

Saying that as an organisation officers continued to be challenged by crime, Williams assured all the available resources would be used to fight criminal elements and deliver quality service to citizens.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who also spoke at the event, acknowledged that Williams’ job was a very difficult one, adding, “We are all human and sometimes it gets to us when all that comes in our direction is the failings of our human existence ... if all that you’re hearing is how badly you have done something...eventually it can get you.”

But he also warned that rogue elements in the Police Service must not be tolerated.

Young Videsh Subar, who was murdered on Wednesday, will never accomplish his dream of working at Petrotrin, retiring at 45 and buying a maxi taxi, UNC MP Fazal Karim has lamented.

“He had his goals, he had dreams and looked forward to enjoying life but never thought this would befall him,” Karim said in Parliament yesterday.

Speaking during debate on an Opposition motion condemning Government and the Prime Minister for failing to address the rising crime epidemic, Karim expressed sympathies to Subar ‘s family as well as the family of his caretaker, Hafeeza Mohammed, 56. She was also killed alongside Subar on Wednesday.

The youngster 13, had been at Mohammed’s home when they were set upon, bound and killed. The savaging of the middle aged woman and the child — particularly because of their ages— has shocked the nation.

Karim said, “In the last 48 hours we’ve seen the brutal murder of 13- year old Vedesh and his caretaker who - it was reported today- was not only murdered , but also sexually assaulted.”

“Yesterday we saw the kidnapping for ransom of Southern businessman Gregory Laing - what kind of children, now adults have we brought up in T&T?! It’s clear the country has sunken to an all time low,”

Karim added, “Young Vedesh was in the prime of his youth. He was expecting to collect his SEA results next Tuesday and looking forward to entering the next phase of his education and secondary school...which is going to be no more.”

Karim said he also feared T&T is returning to kidnappings although this was reduced under the past administration.

“People are asking if kidnapping is what we have to face in T&T for working hard and being successful ..... if you’re perceived to have assets or be wealthy that you’re going to be the victim of those who prefer not to work like you, but to take from you what you have?”

Karim warned the crime situation - with murders currently at 248 - will cause citizens to incur more expense to secure themselves and their children, could cause capital flight and closure of businesses or encourage people to manage businesses from overseas.”

Murder is now one a day - it’s not a vitamin to build anything up. It’s breaking society down instead.”

The murder suspect killed by police on Thursday night was shot five times, once in the left arm as he tried to protect himself from the lawmen’s bullets.

This was revealed following the autopsy done by pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov on the body of Stephan “Ninja” Awong. According to police around 9.30 pm on Thursday, Awong, 26, was seen by officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force walking along Seventh Avenue Malick Barataria. The officers claimed he pointed a firearm at them when they approached him and before he could let off a shot, he was shot. He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The autopsy said four shots penetrated his chest, perforating his lungs and heart. He died of massive haemorrhaging.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, Awong’s girlfriend, who did not want to be identified, said he had just left home, no more than five minutes when she heard what she thought was fireworks. She added that Awong, a father of two, has three pending gun related matters and had only started a job at a construction site in Chaguaramas the day he was killed. She said Awong “lived a life” but that was in the past and he was changing his life for the better.

Police say he was a suspect in the killing of Terrance “DJ Pop Skull” Ramdin, who was killed on June 10 when he went with friends at Seventh Avenue, Malick Barataria, to retrieve a laptop. Police said as Ramdin and his friends were waiting near a vehicle, a gunman opened fire on them. All three were shot, however, the 19-year-old died.

Awong’s girlfriend said the family will not be reporting the matter to the Police Complaints Authority since she believes the police will always be victorious.

“I not going through all of that because the government system is not a fair thing. Whatever we say at the end of the day them is the law so I not going through that long process. To the police, God don’t sleep. I know him if he had something on him he would of run” she said.

Awong’s brother Hakim Joseph, said since the killing his brother was targeted by police who he said blamed him since the shooting took place not too far from Awong’s home. Joseph said his older brother was not around when the shooting took place and had been deemed “a pest” by police in the area. He claimed officers threatened to kill his brother and him following the killing. Awong, he said was arrested twice in relation to the killing of Ramdin and released without charge as there was no evidence against him.

The shooting came one day after police killed two men who robbed a bar in central Trinidad. Close friends Keiron Mitchell, 23 from Trincity and Desmond Samuel, 26 of Las Lomas were killed near the cemetery at Madras Road after Harry’s NYC Bar St Helena, stealing $2,000. A third man remains on the run.

The Government’s decision to dissolve the Tourism Development Company (TDC) has been halted, according to Joseph Remy, secretary general of the Communications’ Workers Union (CWU).

“We got the injunction granted against the TDC. So they are restrained from entering from any individual contracts with any employee. They are also restrained from terminating the services of any employee until the substantive industrial relations offences are heard before the court,” he told the T&T Guardian last night.

The court granted the injunction last night.

The original decision to dissolve the TDC was announced by Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe during a post-Cabinet news conference at Magdalena Grand Beach Resort on March 8.

The CWU immediately opposed the move and filed an industrial relations matter against the company.

He said the next step is that the remaining matters before the court must be heard.

“The company might want to appeal but what is happening today is a very significant victory for the union and for the workers as the attempt to terminate them has been stopped in its tracks by the Industrial Court and by the strong arguments put forward by the union,” he said.

He said on Thursday the TDC wrote letters to the workers wanting to terminate their employment without engaging the union in discussion about what will happen next.

“The TDC did indicate publicly that they would create two companies which will continue to carry on the tourism marketing and management functions. But they are not giving employees the opportunity to apply to go into those companies. In a sense, what the Court has said to them is that they should stop what they are doing,” he said.

Remy said the union will continue to engage with the Ministry of Tourism and the TDC in discussions on how workers will transition into the successor company.

“What are the terms under which will transition? Who will transition? The terms of conditions of those who are not willing to transition. That is the discussion that is necessary right now,” he said.

On Thursday, employees of TDC refused to sign severance letters given to them by chief executive officer of the company Cliff Hamilton who called the workers to a meeting telling them it was an “unpleasant task “for him, but he said “ he had been “given an instruction by Corporation Sole,” to give them the letters.

The meeting took place hours before the company and the representing CWU were due to meet at the Industrial Court. Hamilton, who was appointed shortly before Cudjoe announced the Government’s decision to close down the TDC, told the workers “Corporation Sole (the Minister of Finance) is now responsible for the TDC.” He said, “I was given the task for advise all staff members of the decision of Corporation Sole to sever relationships and to afford everyone an opportunity to be informed as to what their package involves and to seek to have everyone sign the letter that basically says what I am getting is what I expected and I am not holding the company responsible for anything going forward.”

In an audio recording of the meeting, obtained by the T&T Guardian, workers were heard telling Hamilton “this is not legal! This is very unfair to us!” One worker said, “We unionised and I am not sure what is this about, have negotiations broken down? We still in that process, I am not sure how a package could be presented.”

In response, Hamilton said, “I was not involved in negotiations with the union, the chairman was involved I was given instructions this is what has to be done.”

As their questions and comments flowed he could provide no help or reassurance, telling them “I heard you but I have been given instructions what to do.” He said he was merely “a vessel to deliver a message, this is handled by Corporation Sole.”

The safety of patients and employees at the San Fernando General Hospital is being questioned after a nurse reportedly assaulted a fellow employee with pepper spray on Thursday.

In a demonstration at the hospital’s foyer yesterday, daily paid workers led by the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) called on the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) to remove the nurse. Workers told the T&T Guardian that not only was the possession of pepper spray illegal, but the nurse used it against kitchen assistant Rigel Baboolal, who was only doing his job. They said she could have used it against a patient or visitor to the hospital.

Baboolal, 33, a kitchen assistant, has since filed a report with San Fernando police. Contacted yesterday, SWRHA’s acting CEO Gail Miller-Meade said she could not divulge whether the nurse was still on active duty or had been suspended. The alleged incident is a violation of the Regional Health Authority Conduct Regulation 2008.

As Baboolal joined his colleagues yesterday, he had to pause several times to wipe his watering eyes.

He explained that around 3 pm on Thursday he was transporting dishes from the wards in an elevator with the accused nurse and others. When the elevator stopped at Ward 13 B, he pushed the trolley onto the corridor so others could pass. While re-entering the elevator, he said this was when his attacker attempted to block him.

“She started to tell me how I was invading her personal space and she did not want me to come in. I don’t know her personally, only her face. She was telling other people to come onto the lift. I tried to go on and she continue quarrelling with me, telling people how I threatened her and cursed her. All I told this woman was to stop filming me with her phone. I did not like it.

“Then all of a sudden she pulled out something from her pouch like a little spray bottle and said, ‘I have something for alyuh.’ She just sprayed this thing in my eyes. I didn’t have time to react or cover my face as I didn’t know what she had in that bottle and I didn’t even think she would have done something like this. I started to scream and ran into Ward 13 B because of this burning pain. I could not see well but I ran to a sink and eventually a nurse came and help me to wash my eyes,” Baboolal said.

He reported the incident to his supervisor and was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department. While waiting, he said he was instructed by his union representative to report the assault to San Fernando police but was called back by medical staff to attend the eye clinic. His eyes were flushed and treated several times before he was allowed to leave.

“When I went up to Ward 8, the doctor checked my eyes and did a test. She said the acidic level was very high because since it is pepper spray, the extraction level was really high. She wash it a few more times and the acidity level was still high. She told the nurse to flush my eyes with saline and then when they checked it, I was ok to leave. My eyes are running water all now.

“I feel this nurse has a problem because she was coming to work with that pepper spray on her. The way she was getting on was like she had something and she was not afraid to use it. Two other nurses who saw told her to cool herself. They told her we were all colleagues, but she just continued getting on.”

In a media release yesterday, SWRHA gave an assurance to the public and staff abuse of staff was not condoned and the incident was being investigated. It stated that the investigation will be dealt with as a matter of urgency in accordance with the hospital’s staff conduct regulations.

Nonchalant about the dangers of crime, taxi driver Vishnu Roopnarine worked the graveyard shift for five years hoping to earn enough money to complete his new home and to give his only daughter, Chelsea, a sound education.

But his efforts came to nought when he was robbed of his car, killed and dumped on a riverbank off Ramlal Trace, Cunupia.

The body, which bore gunshot wounds, was discovered around 4 pm on Friday, but police believe that Roopnarine, 47, was killed sometime between 1 am to 5 am. His Nissan Almera has not been recovered.

While his family wait for the results of an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow, police are doing ballistic testing on the spent shells discovered at the scene of the crime.

During an interview at the family’s Calcutta No 1 home in Freeport, Roopnarine’s wife, Nandrani, said she was finding it difficult to believe that Roopnarine had died.

“This doesn’t feel real. We were watching Ian Alleyne’s show and we saw the body,” she recalled.

Reminiscing about her last moments with her husband, Nandrani said he left home around 1 am on Friday to collect pies from a bakery in Port-of-Spain, which he usually sold in Carapichaima to supplement his taxi driver’s income.

“He’s been doing this for five years. Every morning, he would leave home at 1 am, pick up pies in Port-of-Spain, run a few trips before returning to Carapichaima and I would help him sell the pies,” Nandrani said. However, when Roopnarine failed to return home around 6 am, she grew worried.

“I called one of his regular customers whom he picks up at 3 am, but the person said he didn’t show up and it was then I realized something was wrong,” Nandrani said. Around 10 am, she went to the police and reported him missing.

“I tried calling his phone but it rang out. I went to family and friends. I checked the hospital to see if he was there and we never found him,” Nandrani said.

The couple has two children—Vijay, 20, and Chelsea, five. Nandrani said they were working towards completing construction of their home and Chelsea was expected to start primary school in September.

Nandrani said this was what motivated Roopnarine to work hard despite the dangers of crime.

‘I used to tell him it dangerous but he was brave and fearless,” Nandrani said. Describing her husband as a man without faults, Nandrani said she did not know how to come to terms with his death.

Police said they believe robbery was the motive behind the murder. Officers of the Cunupia CID, Homicide Region III and Central Division Task Force are continuing investigations.

We must come together as a nation and do everything we can to stop the “beasts and monsters” roaming our land, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said.

Persad-Bissessar said we are all responsible for the “murder and mayhem” currently taking place in this country.

She made the statements at the funeral of 13-year-old Videsh Subar whose throat was slit during a break-in at his 56-year-old neighbour Rose Mohammed’s Ajim Baksh Road, Malabar, home on Wednesday.

Mohammed, who was also killed in the incident, had her final rites observed on Friday.

Subar’s funeral took place at his family’s home yesterday.

It was conducted by Pundit Prakash Samsundar Tiwari.

Persad-Bissessar cried as she spoke at Subar’s funeral.

“What I do know is that we as a country as a people we have to stop this, we have to stop the slaughter, we have to come together, we have to work together I mean how can this be?” Persad-Bissessar said.

“How can this happen and it is our fault every one of us it is our fault because we have failed to protect the young and the innocent,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar said she had the funeral of two murdered victims to attend yesterday.

The final rites for Margaret Mills, 67, who died at hospital from stab wounds to the heart and lung sustained during a home invasion were also observed yesterday. Mills is the sister of councillor for Caparo/Mamoral John Lezama.

“In our country now it is murder and mayhem and what are we doing? What as a people are we doing? We come and we cry and we hug up but what are we doing?” Persad-Bissessar asked.

Persad-Bissessar called on attendees at the funeral to not just leave and remain unchanged.

“What happens tomorrow? Tomorrow will be another one, so let us join hands, let us stop this let us stop this brutality let us stop these monsters, what kind of monsters would do this?” she said.

“So all of you please do not wash your hands when you leave here, let us be our brother’s keeper, our sister’s keeper and the keeper of all our children let us work together please let us do that,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Speaking to the media following the funeral Persad-Bissessar said:

“We have to do everything to cut down these beasts and these monsters, every step should be pulled out before they go and slaughter more children”.

Emotional send-off for Videsh

It was an emotional send-off for Subar yesterday.

Around 9 am, his body was brought to the house of mourning by a Dass hearse.

When the coffin with Subar’s body dressed in East Indian garb was taken into the house a scream shattered the silence on Ajim Baksh Road.

When the funeral began, hundreds of mourners were already gathered at Ajim Baksh Road to pay their final respects to the teenager.

Among those in attendance were pupils of Ward’s Learning Living Centre, the school that Videsh attended.

Subar sat the Secondary Entrance Assessment Examination (SEA) in May and was awaiting results.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia disclosed on Friday that the teen had been placed in a secondary school in Arima.

Subar’s mother, Dhanraji Veena’s blood-curdling scream of “what they did my baby that for?” rang out throughout the funeral at various intervals as she tried to come to terms with her only child’s death.

Garcia called on the attendees to be their “brother’s keeper”.

“It is really a sad day for all of us here. In Trinidad and Tobago I don’t know what has become of our country. Crime seems to have taken a hold of us but it is the responsibility of all of us to be our brother’s keeper and while we share sorrow with the bereaved family let us not forget, let us remember always that we are our brother’s keeper and if it is one thing we can do in memory of this lost soul is that we must bind together and ensure that we stamp out this scourge of crime,” Garcia said.

Subar’s best friend, Devanand, described him as “the coolest guy”.

MP for D’Abadie/O’Meara Ancil Antoine said the Government and police “will not leave any stone unturned until we find and bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice”.

Arima Mayor Lisa Morris-Julian said she was a distant relative of the bereaved family.

“As devastated as we are I take comfort in knowing that all unfair games must play over whether in this life or the next,” Morris-Julian said.

Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen and Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez were also in attendance.

Dhanraji Veena was distraught during yesterday’s service and was unable to walk and had to be assisted by her husband, Lennon Martin, and other relatives.

She collapsed several times and an ambulance was called.

As Subar’s coffin was being removed from the family’s home and taken to the Caroni Cremation Site, Dhanraji Veena screamed for him to come back.

“Why did they take my baby? Why? Why? Why? I want my baby,” Dhanraji Veena screamed.

As the hearse drove off the rain came down.

Today marks a year since the country’s fourth and sixth prime minister, Patrick Manning died. For the Manning family it has been both a challenge to deal with the loss of a man who played a major role in their lives and also an opportunity to seek ways to preserve his legacy.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Guardian, the family’s spokesman, Brian Manning said the loss has led to he and his brother spending more quiet time reflecting, while his mother has thrown herself into her consulting work that includes working with young people.

He said, “It’s difficult to lose a father and to lose someone who was a focal point in our lives. I think it’s the most private we have been in a long time.

We needed time for ourselves, to focus on taking care of our lives and our emotional needs. It motivated us to focus on his legacy and the vision he had for all of us.

“I found solace in having some more quiet time. I spent more time by myself, not letting a lot of people in for a while because I needed to be alone with my thoughts and my feelings; my mother has really poured herself into her private consultancy. That includes working to improve the lives of others, especially young people, that is what I think brings her comfort and peace.”

Brian said his mother was now a certified life coach and worked with organisations in improving productivity and leadership among young people to help them improve their self-esteem and achieve their goals.

Manning died on July 2 at the San Fernando General Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare form of cancer.

Brian said while it had been a challenging year, the family was now clear on what it wanted to do to preserve Mr Manning’s legacy.

He said there were four major projects that the family planned to roll out in honour of Mr Manning.

Brian said his father never wrote a book and the plan was to now launch a book that would look at the former prime minister’s life and career.

The family also wants to have a Distinguished Lecture Series in which the lectures will be based on development issues and ways that T&T can diversify the economy.

Brian said the third initiative was the establishment the Patrick Manning Regional Development Fund with the aim being to work with international bodies to deal with extreme poverty in the region and also to promote a regional recycling project to assist the environment.

The Manning family also wants to have an exhibition that focuses on Mr Manning’s legacy as politician, husband, father, and a son, while maintaining an updated web page on Mr Manning.

Manning’s focus was on development

Brian said his father’s main focus was on the development of the country and that his father understood that the oil and gas sector would have faced challenges because of the advent of shale gas and tight oil.

He said the idea was to use the country’s natural gas to go downstream into heavy industry including aluminium, plastics, iron and steel and out of it forge a manufacturing and services economy. He pointed to the International Financial Centre and Tamana InTech Park as examples of his father’s vision to move away from a dependence on oil and gas.

“We had lengthy discussions about policy about vision 2020 and about where he saw the country going. The plan was about diversifying the economy. If we are using the gas to develop downstream energy-intensive industries then we can produce and become competitive at producing any good.”

Brian said his father’s greatest focus was on the development of the country’s human capital and that is why Mr Manning saw Gate as one of his greatest achievements.

“His focus in my mind was in developing people. We cannot become a country of people who are all doctors and lawyers and engineers. That does not develop a society.

“There will be people out there who want to be artistes, musicians, athletes, what are we going to do to give these people an opportunity?” he asked.

“That is why I think it was essential that Gate remained without a cost because that levelled the playing field. It gave everyone, regardless of social standing or economic background, an opportunity to educate themselves in a field that they were passionate about.

“I have heard people complain about the lack of skills including tailors, plumbers etc, so we cannot be a country of four or five professions.”

Brian said Mr Manning was about his constituency and even as prime minister, he made time for all kinds of community events and was always in Pleasantville.

Brian said, “He felt that it was part of the job, spending time with the community and interacting with the common man.

“It’s why he was there until 10 pm to 11 pm during his office days even as prime minister.”

Everyone must have an opportunity in T&T

Brian said Mr Manning warned that T&T had to ensure that regardless of political persuasion that everyone had an opportunity to participate in the country’s economic development.

“We are preparing ourselves for extremely hard times if we do not find ways to include everyone in our economy. I hope everyone in Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of the political divide, accepts that, because if everyone does not have an opportunity none of us will be able to live in Trinidad and Tobago comfortably.”

Brian said while winning elections was an important part of the job, Mr Manning did not see it as the be all and end all of his life and when he made the controversial decision to call an early election in 2010 and was crushed by the UNC-led coalition, Brian said that Mr Manning even up to his death felt it was the right thing to do.

He explained that it was an issue of legitimacy and that in the wake of upheavals and allegations of dictatorship the late prime minister felt there needed to be revalidation of his government.

On the love they received after Mr Manning’s passing, Brian said the family was grateful. He explained, “It felt to me that people were upset and did not understand certain things and over time were appreciative of what he was trying to do. He took responsibility for calling the election and it did not go his way and felt the people needed to decide what they wanted going forward. “

Brian also thanked those who supported his family during the loss, including Mr Manning’s political opponent Basdeo Panday whom he said the Mannings always respected. He said even now, he regularly sees Mr Panday and the former prime minister is always friendly and cordial and has never passed him straight.

Memorial for Manning today

Yesterday, at the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) media briefing following its general council meeting, Energy Minister and PNM chairman Franklin Khan said a memorial service for Manning, who died on July 2, last year, will be held at 8 am today at the St Paul’s Anglican church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando.

Rayad Ryan Mohammed, the man who attacked the family of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in a Facebook post on Friday was taken into police custody last night. Investigators could not say under what laws Mohammed would be charged.

Mohammed was brought to the Fraud Squad unit at the San Fernando Police Headquarters after 8.40 pm by a party of officers led by Supt Totaram Dookie.

Senior investigators said once investigations are complete, a file will be sent to Director of Public Prosecutions before charges are laid. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said Mohammed could be charged under the Cyber Crime Act but senior police said this is unlikely.

“The matter is still being investigated and we cannot say for certain under what act Mohammed will be charged,” one officer said.

He said that Mohammed may have committed an offence of inciting someone to commit violence against the family of an office holder.

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams did not answer his cellular phone for a second consecutive day and could not be reached for comment on the matter. Mohammed, of Rio Claro, came under fire after he made a Facebook post saying, “Someone should find ROWLEY daughter and wife and slit their throats n rape them.”

It was an apparent response to the gruesome double murder of Hafeeza Rose Mohammed, 56, and Videsh Subar, 13, in Malabar, last Wednesday. Following the post, Mohammed deleted his Facebook account but later apologised for his comments saying he was upset about the state of crime.

“What I meant with that post was that only when someone who is of rank or their family gets that then maybe they will do something about crime,” Mohammed explained.

Two days after Marlene McDonald became Public Utilities Minister, her ministerial future seems to be hanging in the balance. And Prime Minister Keith Rowley will weigh in on it today.

Rowley is expected to meet with McDonald to discuss the photographs of herself and Sea Lots community leader Cedric “Burkie” Burke which have caused a firestorm of contention both on social media as well as within the PNM Government.

Rowley, who is head of T&T’s National Security Council, contacted her on the matter last Friday and is said to be concerned about the matter.

Consequently, just two days after McDonald was appointed a minister—when these photos were taken at President’s House—there are now concerns among her supporters that McDonald may be axed or have to resign.

Contentions regarding the pictures arose both within and outside of the Government last Friday evening after McDonald was sworn in at President’s House at a function attended by Burke as well as other supporters of McDonald.

Burke had been detained in the 2011 state of emergency and charged with being a gang leader, but was freed.

Last Friday, the Express quoted McDonald at the function saying she had “two persons upstairs and you know why I invited them—they’re from East POS, Sea Lots area...we’re not just nobody or anybody, we’re people first and foremost.”

After the function, however, pictures of McDonald and her guests—Burke included—circulated on social media. They elicited heavy criticism.

PM not pleased

The Guardian was told the pictures were drawn to the Prime Minister’s attention last Friday evening, and sources said he was “definitely not pleased.”

They said the PM subsequently called McDonald late Friday night seeking her resignation by yesterday.

Sources close to McDonald said she sought more time, and asked to meet him this morning. At the PNM’s General Council media briefing yesterday, PNM public relations officer Stuart Young was asked about social media criticisms of the photos.

Young said the sole prerogative of appointing or revoking appointments of ministers, ministers of state or parliamentary secretaries—constitutionally—lies with the Prime Minister.

“Part of his duties also is as chairman of the National Security Council and as National Security Council chairman he is in possession of certain information and the PM has the sole prerogative on whatever decisions he makes and you can expect the Prime Minister to have discourse on that shortly,” Young said.

Young had also told the Guardian who had queried the issue, that as part of his duties, the PM is chairman of the National Security council, “so he has certain concerns.”

Young said: “The appointment or revocation of any ministerial positions lies solely in the Prime Minister’s discretion and he “will address the concerns”.

Rowley didn’t reply to text message queries on the issue. Behind the scenes, the Guardian was told that a number of senior PNMites were making efforts yesterday to try save the situation for the Government and for McDonald.

It is understood McDonald was also busy in discussions with advisers and PNMites most of yesterday.

Her return to the Cabinet came last Friday after she was removed last year following Integrity Commission and police probes concerning allegations against her. The commission cleared her on aspects, but is still examining other matters. Police investigations into allegations against her are also ongoing, sources confirmed.

Marlene’s guests

Sources close to McDonald said the only people she officially had as guests for the President’s House function were PNM PoS South chairman Jean Elder, Michael Carew, assistant Sharon Felix and Kenroy Dopwell.

They said McDonald arrived late for the function and was being escorted inside the building by two protocol officers when she saw Burke. They said she asked “Burkie, what you doing here?” They claimed as she was being “hustled along,” Burke was also swept up in the group and taken inside. This is in direct contradiction to what the protocol officer at President’s House told the Guardian earlier. (See Page A6)

Concerns were expressed by various members that removing McDonald could cause “trouble” from her Port-of-Spain South constituency. “An MP doesn’t choose their constituents but they must treat all equally,” they added.

A PNM PoS source said some members were concerned the party should not “bow” to the wishes of others since it was PNM’s “grassroots” supporters who held the constituency for the party. They said the feeling on the “ground” was that others were “calling for McDonald’s resignation” and “calling the shots”.

They credited Burke with allegedly recommending that McDonald’s constituency have two more polling stations for elections due to the high number of voters there.

Some also felt the solution to the situation might be for McDonald “to apologize, admit it had been poor judgement on her part and move on.”

The current issue is not the first time the PNM has fallen into negative spotlight because of so-called “community leaders”. Late former prime minister Patrick Manning was criticised for meeting with community leaders in a bid to solve crime. 

PNM SHOULD NOT HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS—OPPOSITION

The PNM should not employ any double standard in this issue, says UNC MP Roodal Moonilal.

“One can understand the deep concern of the national community over the incident because I think it’s a question of discretion. I wasn’t even sure a person going to take the oath of office could take so many guests. Over the years, we were limited to one.

“However, a new minister ought to exercise some discretion while ensuring she gives prominence to close confidants and activists.”

Moonilal said he recalled the PNM making a big song and dance over former PP Minister Anil Roberts’ association with Carapo mosque member Rajaee Ali.

“I wonder if the same standards holds for Dr Rowley, the Attorney General and Stuart Young.”

Moonilal said while the individual in question with McDonald cannot be accused of any wrongdoing, “I remember the very PNM also made another big noise when I visited a construction site and shook someone’s hand in passing. The person wasn’t my guest, but the PNM voiced outcry over it—so I hope the standard remains the same.”

He said the person was clearly a guest of McDonald and she was entitled to have guests, and President’s House security would have no reason to deny a guest.

He said the situation has likely attracted criticism since it occurred after issues in T&T including a kidnapping and the funeral of Malabar murder victims.

Analyst: The situation doesn’t do anything good for T&T

Political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath did not think there might be any fallout from the situation. “People might just say the individual was a contractor, he’s a citizen and businessman, end of story. The PNM’s supporters will continue to support them and the Opposition will continue to berate them.

“The situation (with the pictures) doesn’t do anything good for unity in T&T or moving forward. The Government is moving with arrogance, declaring they’re in ‘charge’ and will their statements aren’t conciliatory. It’s not a good thing for the country or for governance, but that’s the reality. However, I think the Government should be a bit more conciliatory.”