Cedric Burke, a businessman dubbed “community leader,” who was arrested and charged with being a gang leader during the 2011 state of emergency was not invited to President’s House on Friday. He just decided to show up and was let in anyway.

He met his neighbour Kenroy Dopwell outside of President’s House shortly after lunch on Friday afternoon and the two walked up to security.

Asked why they were there, the two said they came to attend the appointment of Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald, who the Prime Minister announced would head the Public Utilities Ministry.

McDonald had been removed months before from her post as Housing Minister amid allegations of misconduct.

Burke wanted to show support.

The guard at the gate allowed Burke and Dopwell onto the compound and they proceeded into the Office of the President.

The administrative staff asked if Burke and Dopwell’s name was listed. Dopwell’s name was. Burke’s name was not.

He was still asked to wait for his MP to arrive and sat in the lobby area to do just that.

This is the story Burke told the media yesterday of how he arrived at President’s House to witness the swearing in of his MP as a government minister.

Burke’s story also deviates from a comment McDonald made to the media on Friday, immediately following the swearing-in ceremony.

McDonald is quoted in a daily paper as saying: “You noticed upstairs, I have two persons upstairs, and you know why I invited them here? They are from East Port-of-Spain, from the Sea Lots area. They represent the best of East Port-of-Spain.”

Speaking to the media from his Sea Lots home, Burke said he believed it was a public function similar to the swearing in of ministers in September 2015.

“When she saw me she was shocked, she didn’t even know I would be there. Somebody came downstairs and said they were ready and all of us just walked. I thought it was just a simple thing.”

He said he was confused by the public conversation over his presence at the event, adding that while he had been arrested in the past, he had never been convicted of a crime.

“I have no matter pending in this country or any country. I am not a convict.”

Missing from Burke’s story is the appropriate security measures taken at the Office of the President in the past that have seen even journalists turned away when their names were not listed.

President’s House: It was clear he was her guest

It’s a question that protocol officer at the Office of the President, Theron Boodhan sought to answer when the Sunday Guardian called him yesterday.

Boodhan confirmed that Burke’s name was not listed but insisted that it was a more nuanced issue.

“For these occasions each minister was advised that they could bring three guests to the swearing-in ceremony. The day before, Minister McDonald requested permission to bring two more guests.

“When she was asked the names of those guests, she said she could not submit the names at the time but that she would do so before the ceremony,” Boodhan said in a telephone interview. She never did.

“When he came and he was not on the list he remained in the lobby downstairs and when she came she brought him upstairs and she introduced him to everyone as her guest and as a constituent.”

Boodhan said in normal circumstances when someone says they are a guest, confirmation is sought and that the person may wait in the lobby area until the guest could be verified.

This, he said, is what was done.

Burke’s name was never listed. As far as the paperwork at the Office of the President is concerned, he may never have been there. It was the pictures that said different.

“When I came down the receptionist told me his name was not on the list. I told the receptionist to contact the co-ordinator to deal with the situation.

“Mrs MacDonald was the last person to arrive and she brought him upstairs. There was no misunderstanding that he was her guest.

“How would we, despite his name not being listed, intervene when the minister has clearly stated he was her guest?”

Asked whether security protocols should have prevented an uninvited guest from attending, Boodhan said “maybe” more could have been done.

“It might be easy to say, maybe there was a slight lapse but nobody expects a minister to create such a situation.”

The Office of the President is investigating the situation.

No response from Marlene

The Sunday Guardian sent a text message to McDonald and called yesterday, but did not receive a response.

PNM’S HISTORY WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS

​The People’s National Movement’s history with “community leaders” began in 2002 when then prime minister Patrick Manning met twice with known “gang leaders” at the Ambassador Hotel on Long Circular Road, St James. The meeting saw Manning reverse a decision by then URP line minister Jarette Narine to appoint former policemen as managers and instead passed the responsibility to the criminals. Manning also invited the same set of gang leaders to negotiate a peace pact with them, promising more URP funding of jobs in return.

Once legislation to reform local government is passed in the Parliament, the Government intends for regional corporations to collect and retain property tax.

This was disclosed at the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) media briefing following its general council meeting yesterday afternoon.

Speaking to the media, Energy Minister and PNM chairman Franklin Khan said the party felt the measures included in legislation to reform local government would result in a fundamental change in the governmental structure of the country.

He repeated that legislation would be tabled in the next session of Parliament, adding that there was support in all corporations for the reform exercise.

“There are two key parts to the reform, one that will allow corporations to collect and retain property tax and that is a PNM idea, and over the recent times when there was an issue with property tax roll-out by the Ministry of Finance, the UNC was claiming that money should go to regional corporations.

“We had campaigned on that but for that to happen there needs to be legislative change to the Audit and Exchequer Act.

He said the second key part will allow local government councillors to become full time and be given executive authority similar to what occurs in the Tobago House of Assembly.

He announced that a hybrid system, complementing local government reform would allow regional corporations to be involved in school repairs during the vacation.

In mid-June chairmen and mayors of the 14 regional corporations were summoned to a meeting with Education Minister Anthony Garcia and Local Government and Rural Development Minister Kazim Hosein to discuss shifting school refurbishment and repair programme from the Educational Facilities Company Limited (EFCL) to the regional corporations.

With the move, regional corporations, it is expected, would be responsible for selecting schools for repair and selecting contractors from within the individual regions to carry out the repair work, while the Ministry of Education through EFCL would be responsible for payments. The idea would be for the pre-qualified contractors at each corporation to bid on jobs.

After two such meetings, while chairmen await word on the proposal, Garcia will bring a note to Cabinet this week recommending that EFCL continue the work for this year.

Chairmen interviewed by the Guardian raised concerns about the shift of responsibilities, including a need for capacity building within the regional corporations as well as a firm decision on how these projects would be funded.

Chairmen willing but still have concerns

In an interview on Friday, Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon said he in particular was in favour of the move.

“We would do most of the supervision and the ministry would do most of the funding. I am happy because many times when schools not ready people complain to the borough corporation and there is nothing we can do about it, but we know there will be proper accountability and transparency as already exists at the local government level,” Rondon said.

He said he expected to meet with both ministers on Monday to finalise the way forward for the proposal.

Chairman of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) Paul Leacock said while he was in support of the move it was still in the discussion stage.

“The funds would have to be from the Education Ministry and we expect assistance with project management and engineering. In the case of the TPRC, we are in the process of signing a MOU with the University of the West Indies and we expect to discuss with them getting assistance in those areas.”

Paul said the regional corporations were not short of expertise but had one major concern. “We would want the issue of payment to be settled because local government usually pays the bills on time and we would want that to continue,” said Leacock.

According to media reports, in 2016 EFCL owed contractors between $600 and $800 million dollars.

This is the main concern of Chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation Glenn Ramadharsingh who accused the Government of shifting EFCL’s problems to local government.

He said the Government needed to solve the problems at EFCL before shifting the responsibility to corporations.

“AT EFCL there are people owed money and schools cannot be opened because of payment issues. I am not excited to be involved in that kind of work. You are taking a problem and giving it to local government.

“Solve the problem at the source. I am not saying local government should not be involved but it must not be to shut off parts of an agency riddled with problems with integrity, transparency issues and allegations about the way they operate and it is in a state of anarchy and unable to deliver quality education in rural communities,” Ramadharsingh said.

He said EFCL’s numerous issues must be dealt with first.

Ministers: All part of Local Govt Reform

In an interview at the Parliament building on Friday, Garcia said the move had nothing to do with EFCL’s issues and everything to do with the Government’s policy on local government reform.

Even so, he said he was making a recommendation to Parliament that EFCL continue the repair programme for this year in order to give regional corporations time to properly prepare for the programme.

“The technical staff at the corporation explained that while the corporations would have no difficulty in rising to the challenge there were things they would have to overcome in order to adjust and that the time frame was not sufficient for that arrangement to take place,” Garcia said.

He said some corporations indicated that they did not have an updated list of pre-qualified contractors while others did not have sufficient project managers or engineers to handle the additional work.

In addition, the ministry was also looking at the procurement aspect of the move and was still exploring Central Tenders Board regulations to determine whether it could go forward.

“The ministry decided that this year it would engage in the usual manner with EFCL but with input from the regional corporations. The schools would be grouped according to the regions or boroughs they are located within and the corporation would work closely with EFCL.

Speaking to the Sunday Guardian yesterday, Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein said he welcomed the move as part of rural development and local government, because more authority would be given to local government.

“If you are choosing the contractors from the community hardwares benefit, the workers, small businesses and local contractors all benefit. You don’t want someone from Toco coming to do repairs in Princes Town.”

Angry, disenchanted and fed-up is how several constituents of Laventille West feel about their MP Fitzgerald Hinds.

As news spread on Thursday that he had been relieved of his ministerial duties in the Ministry of Public Utilities and assigned as a Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, people criticised him, with some saying he should have been fired.

The Sunday Guardian visited parts of his constituency to hear how constituents felt about their MP being reassigned in the Cabinet reshuffle.

A Chinapoo Village resident said Hinds “doesn’t deliver to his people.”

Steve Roberts said after Hinds won the seat in the 2015 general election, he visited once after to express thanks.

“He never did anything for his community. That is no surprise. It should have happened long time. He deserved to get fired.”

A man who gave his name as Carlton said it was only around election time he saw Hinds. On the reshuffle, Carlton said: “You reap what you sow.”

Sitting outside a parlour, Omar Abdullah from Mapplands used some harsh words to describe Hinds. Incensed over what he said was non-performance, Abdullah said perhaps Hinds was not a favoured person.

“From handling a full ministry like a man, they put him as a helper, like a boy. If that was done to me, I was moving.”

Abdullah said Hinds was rarely seen in the area.

“Of course, we are disappointed. We have not seen him. He good do (things to) we.”

Mervyn “The Swerve” Frection said: “They should have gotten rid of him long time. I am not shocked. Only when is election you might see him.

An unidentified woman with him said the same thing.

At the Chinapoo Community Centre, Lance Ettienne said people supported Hinds “and he did nothing for them.”

Asked how he felt about the reshuffle, he said: “It was not no news to me. I know sooner or later they would have had to get rid of him because he was not doing anything. It really not making sense with Mr Hinds.

“He is not for the sufferers. He is an Englishman and needs to live in England. They give him that (previous two positions) because he win the seat.”

‘The best of all was Kamaluddin Mohammed’

Down at Pashley Street, a group of men was liming at the corner. They flew off the handle when they heard Hinds’ name.

Some used expletives and started shouting. One man said they should have thrown him out (of the Cabinet). Gregory Pierre said the only men who ever did anything for Laventille were Desmond Carty and Wilton Hinds.

“But the best of all was Kamaluddin Mohammed. Hinds? Hinds? People only voted for him because he is a PNM.”

As cars drove up and down the street, Pierre stopped them and asked about Hinds. People either scoffed, rolled their eyes or said, “Hinds is a waste” or “Hinds never do nothing for me.”

Pierre, 68, said: “The PNM does nothing for people in Laventille. They do nothing. You know how to break the cycle (voting)? Just do not vote for anybody.”

Pierre called out to a man walking into a nearby shop and asked him about Hinds.

The man replied: “I am 70 years and PNM only winning here through we ancestors.”

A man called Bunny said when he was younger his parents told him he had to vote PNM.

“I remember when I used to go an vote and my mother and father used to tell me—Aye! PNM, eh.”

A woman walking up the street said she had once approached Hinds for a house but he questioned her weave and her “big phone.”

She said: “I did not got to him for that. I went to see about my place.

“I took pictures of my place but when he come in front my door to ask about the vote, he didn’t ask me about the weave and the big phone. They had a right to demote he long time.”

An irate Lawrence Thomas, 62, did not mince words.

“We must be angry! Look at the roads. Go and drive and see where children have to walk to go to school.

“Ask the children if they have a recreation ground to play or practice. We don’t even have a court to play. We can’t get jobs.”

​HINDS: IT’S PREPOSTEROUS, ABSURD

Defending himself yesterday, Hinds said any claim that he has not been seen was “absurd.”

He said: “All my parliamentary colleagues acknowledged up to yesterday (Friday) that if there was one Member of Parliament who has been very busy since we have been elected is me. I have been very, very active and busy.”

He went on to give a detailed account of some of the work carried out since 2015.

Among them—road paving, drainage work, training seminars, school competitions, football competitions, career day, repair of a 23-year-old leaking 18’’ main, self-help projects, walkabouts, and implementation of a postal service.

Hinds said: “Any suggestion that I have not been seen or active in my constituency is preposterous.”

He said the 40 people (interviewed) out of 65,000 was a joke. “That is a minuscule sample.”

He said of all the 41 constituencies there was none where constituencies will say they were happy with their MP.

He said every Tuesday he meets close to 40 people, sometimes up to 3 am.

​There are an estimated four storms which could pass near T&T for the hurricane season. Climatologist Kenneth Kerr said this in a release to the media on the hurricane and tropical storm activity area of interest for T&T.

That area of interest lies to the east of T&T and south of 15 degrees north latitude.

This is the area where tropical storms tend to pose a threat to the country and is the area of interest where the T&T Met Service is most concerned with as it relates to the hurricane season.

According to Kerr, in a typical hurricane season, there are three named storms forming in this area.

The largest number of storms forming in this area since 1963 occurred in 2010 when there were ten named storms.

For the 2017 hurricane season, the Met Office predicts a 68 per cent chance for above normal tropical storm activity in the area of interest with the possibility of three to six named storms.

The Met Office, however, said the most likely number was four, of which at least one can become a hurricane.

“This prediction says nothing about land falling storms but urges all to prepare adequately regardless of predictions of above or below normal seasonal activity because it only takes one storm to make landfall for the season to be an active one.”

Angry and frustrated Cascade residents are calling on the relevant authorities to probe a land developer. They are alleging that work being done on the hills resulted in a “river of mud” flowing through their community following heavy rains yesterday.

Several roads in Cascade were also rendered impassible as a result of flooding.

After about two hours of heavy rains, which occurred just after midday, severe flash and street flooding occurred throughout Port-of-Spain and environs, including Cascade, Woodbrook, Belmont and South Quay.

There were several photos and videos posted on social media of muddy water gushing down the hills of Cascade and throughout the streets, causing many to comment that the destruction of the mountain range was the main cause of the floods.

In an interview with CNC3, Cascade resident Peter Defreitas said, “Apparently they are doing some construction on the hill and they decided to cut the whole hill and and the result is today... the whole hill came down on the main road and entered my yard and flood it up with water. Cars were almost submerged in water.”

However, Defreitas said residents acted quickly by arming themselves with stones and diverting the flood water before further damage could be done. He said in all his years he had never seen such flooding in Cascade, adding that this caused him and his family to be marooned for some time.

He said residents made complaints about the danger the construction site posed, following which it was stopped, but another one began.

“All the residents made complaints in the past but I don’t know what was the result or what they say they were going to do to stop the project.

“There is another construction site. No buildings have started, only the clearing of the hill ... If you look you would see the amount of hill that was cut...almost cut to the Lady Young Road,” Defreitas said.

Another resident said she was fed up of the hills being “dug out,” adding that the authorities seemed impotent on the matter.

Some of the streets of downtown Port-of-Spain were also transformed into virtual waterways yesterday.

So high were the flood waters that Mode Alive on Frederick Street had to shut its doors after the store was flooded. A video posted by managing director Gary Aboud showed the pavement completely covered with water, resulting in waters gushing into the front entrance.

“Our capital city floods every rainy season, every year and pedestrians are made to suffer. After decades of energy wealth, we fail at even the simplest organised management and preparedness of basic recurring events like flash flooding and heavy rains,” About said.

Concerned Central residents also posted photos on social media of multiple sightings of funnel clouds in the Gulf of Paria. Some residents were worried that the clouds appeared like a “tornado coming ashore.” By late yesterday the clouds however, dissipated.

A funnel cloud, which is frequently associated with thunderstorms, is a rotating column of wind extending from the base of a cloud but not reaching ground or a water surface.

It was only two weeks ago that some parts of east, central and south Trinidad suffered tremendous loss following in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret’s passage.

Normal weather system—Met Office

Checks with the Meteorological Office yesterday revealed T&T was not under any storm threat or warning. In fact, the office said the weather system was normal given the current rainy season.

In a press release issued following the torrential downpour, meanwhile, the Works Ministry assured that technical teams were dispatched to conduct preliminary assessment so as to provide relief to those adversely affected by the flood waters.

The ministry also encouraged citizens to visit its website at www.mowt.gov.tt to log all infrastructural issues and/or upload photographs, so the information could be routed to the respective districts.

Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, in another release, assured that her ministry had been conducting several programmes across various sub-sectors of the country aimed at ensuring environmental integrity.

“I am urging everyone to assist in managing our waste practices and reducing pollution through reusing and recycling our materials, as well as properly disposing of our garbage, managing chemical waste; engaging in sustainable land planning and land use principles; protecting the animals, plants and ecosystems that make up our biodiversity including our marine and freshwater resources,” Robinson-Regis said.

Rio Claro resident Rayad Ryan Mohammed remained in custody last night, after being arrested on Saturday in connection with a threat against the family of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in a Facebook post last week.

During a brief interview yesterday, Supt Totaram Dookie, who arrested Mohammed on Saturday night, confirmed that he was still in police custody.

Saying the investigation was being pursued diligently, Dookie said, “We intend to finish it, soon after which on completion we will engage the Director of Public Prosecution.”

GML journalist Sharlene Rampersad, who broke the story of Mohammed’s apology following his controversial post, was also among several people who gave statements to Fraud Squad detectives yesterday as the probe continued.

Sources said yesterday it was highly unlikely that Mohammed will be charged under the Cybercrime Act.

“We expect that he will be charged with a common law or summary offence,” the source added.

Sources also said that Mohammed, 24, was fired from his job after he made the Facebook post which triggered outrage in some quarters last week.

However, following his arrest he apologised, saying he was hurt by the double murders of Hafeeza Rose Mohammed, 56, and Videsh Subar, 13, whose throats were slit following a robbery in Malabar. Mohammed worked with a contractor and has not yet received legal counsel.

During an interview yesterday, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said he did not condone people using social media to issue threats, lewd messages or obscene language.

“However, there are persons, because of the anger and pain they feel, resort to the Internet to vent. In the circumstances, given the state of the country, I think an apology from him should suffice. A good reprimand should be sufficient but I do not think he should be charged,” Moonilal said.

He also said Mohammed may have committed a summary offence.

ASP Ken Ghisyan is continuing investigations into the matter.

Fire officers from the Four Roads, Diego Martin station have come in for high praise after rescuing a plumbing contractor who was buried at a jobsite on Saturday.

Kendall Braithwaite suffered injuries to the left leg, back and head when there was a landslide on a hill nearby. The mud filled up the trench he was digging on the Westwind development, off Manning Street, Diego Martin.

One of the people who initially tried to rescue Braithwaite, Nigel Gardener, said he was visiting family on Saturday when he heard commotion outside.

“My father came outside and saw a man frantically waving and two cars stopped. When I arrived on the site, I looked and saw that a fellah was buried to just above the chest in mud. I went across, we were all digging and the more we digged, more dirt piled down on him.”

Gardener said his parents then called the Four Roads Fire Station and they responded within minutes. Clearly impressed about the professionalism of the fire officers, he said: “Within six minutes they came, they were so professional. They had to cut plywood and brace it to prevent more dirt and debris from coming down from the top of the hill. It did cave in on him, he had his oxygen mask. We were finally able to brace it good and then pulled him out.”

Gardener said when the owner was contacted by a neighbour the owner said no one was supposed to be on the site. Describing the incident as traumatic he said he and the neighbours did their best.

“We tried to pull him out by putting rope around him but when your body is stuck so deeply in mud its very hard to come out. We tied the other end of the rope to some steel so he won’t go further down.”

He said the officers “did what they had to do” to calm Braithwaite. What is clear he said, is that in time of tragedy strangers came together to save a life.

Seek a fresh mandate.

That’s what the People’s National Movement (PNM) Government should do now following the latest “debacle” concerning the hiring and firing of Marlene McDonald in the space of three days, says Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

“The Prime Minister should understand the country has lost patience with his incompetence and (he) should now remove himself from office and seek a fresh mandate. He continues to show he’s unfit to lead T&T,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement yesterday following the revocation of McDonald’s appointment.

“This latest debacle is yet another episode in the unravelling saga of the Rowley Government and another example of the Prime Minister’s questionable judgement—it took just three days for the Prime Minister’s (recent) reshuffle to be confirmed as a misdeal.

“He continues to demonstrate poor leadership and judgment, and the latest events surrounding the re-appointment of Marlene McDonald and her dismissal in the space of just three days shows he’s ill-suited for the job. The problems Rowley now faces within his Cabinet are because of his lack of vision, leadership and judgement when choosing these individuals.”

Persad-Bissessar added, “The Prime Minister restored Ms McDonald to ministerial office even as she was under active investigation by both the Integrity Commission and the police and whilst concerns continued to be expressed about her fitness for office.

“It appears nothing has changed since Ms McDonald was removed as a minister and the Prime Minister should have already known his MP had questionable associations. The reappointment of Ms McDonald highlighted the absence of capable and skilled personnel available to the Prime Minister.”

On McDonald’s own culpability in her latest sacking, Persad-Bissessar said: “For her part, Ms McDonald took to her swearing-in ceremony at President’s House someone who’s well known to the police and did so in breach of protocol and established rules. This took place while the country remains besieged by violent crimes, including the horrific murder of a schoolchild and the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.”

MP Roodal Moonilal also noted that McDonald’s departure did not signal an end to several issues raised.

“We now need investigations into the circumstances surrounding her swearing-in ceremony, as that matter speaks of treason and the jeopardising of the safety of the President, whose security has been compromised by what occurred,” he said.

“In this respect, both Ms McDonald and the Prime Minister are culpable. The ultimate responsibility for her appointment was the Prime Minister’s. He can’t shift the blame regarding proper vetting of background. He ought to have known what others knew.

“This is a terrible indictment on his judgement and discretion. The situation leaves him as a’ lame duck’ Prime Minister without moral authority and legitimacy.”

Moonilal added, “If the Prime Minister couldn’t perform the duties of Prime Minister alone, he certainly can’t handle an additional portfolio of Public Utilities, which he’s taking on. And he’s now directly in charge of TSTT—does this mean more loan arrangements will be approved?”

MP Suruj Rambachan said the situation denoted Government was in a state of chaos.

“What was the compelling factor that caused him to reappoint Ms McDonald and (Nicole) Olivierre) in the first place? Was there some dissonance in the PNM threatening Government’s stability?”

Even with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley at the helm, People’s National Movement stalwart and former attorney general John Jeremie believes that T&T is still searching for “enlightened leadership.”

Jeremie made the comment at the first anniversary memorial service of the late prime minister Patrick Manning yesterday.

Past and present government ministers, as well as hundreds of PNM supporters flooded the St Paul’s Anglican Church in San Fernando yesterday to honour Manning.

Rowley did not attend, but Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson Regis, Housing Minister Randall Mitchell, Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Energy Nicole Olliviere were present.

Jeremie and former ministers Joan Yuille-Williams, Gary Hunt, Arnold Piggott and Peter Taylor were also in attendance.

Paying tribute to Manning, Jeremie said citizens should reflect on his contribution to T&T’s development.

“Today more than ever we stand in need of strength and stability. A nation unsure and divided looks again to us for enlightened leadership,” Jeremie said.

He added that Manning’s “towering presence was a testament to the use of power.”

“Manning was not concerned with how power uses us. His concern was the use of power in the furtherance of social and economic objectives.

“He knew despair, he lost national elections as many as he won.

“Patrick Manning was in the end faithful to his vision and purpose. In retrospect, we can see today that his concern for justice and his sensitivity drove him throughout his time in public office.”

Rev Claude Berkley, who delivered the sermon, said those who were unkind to Manning before his death had a year to reflect.

“If you were wrong it is good to say you were wrong for your discourtesy, impoliteness and unkindness and if you cannot admit you were wrong, you should continue to reflect,” Berkley said.

Manning died on July 2 last year, a week after he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, a form of cancer. In 2008, he had a cancerous tumour removed from a kidney during a surgery in Cuba.

In 2004 he had a pace maker implanted and in 2012 he suffered a debilitating stroke.

He bowed out of politics ahead of the 2015 general election and died a year later.

A 41-year-old mother of eight was arrested by police yesterday, mere hours after a Facebook video showing the woman beating her 22-month-old son about the body with her handbag went viral.

As the video drew scathing criticism from several quarters on Facebook, a party of police officers, led by Insp Baptiste and including PCs Lockitt, Mahabir and WPC Caraby, of Sangre Grande Child Protection Unit, went to the woman’s Rosseau Trace, Wallen Vale Road, Guaico home, where they arrested her.

The woman was taken to the Sangre Grande Police Station where she was interrogated by CPU officers. The child was taken to the Sangre Grande Hospital for medical attention and a report was submitted to the CPU’s Sangre Grande unit.

The video was reportedly taken by family members who were upset with the manner in which the woman was beating the child.

When T&T Guardian visited the woman’s home yesterday, police officers were escorting her to their vehicle to take her to the station. The woman’s mother, who herself had eight children, said she could not understand what would have driven her daughter to treat her grandchild in such a manner.

“I cannot understand why this first child of my eight children behaves in an uncontrolled manner towards her children, it pains me,” the woman said.

The grandmother also told T&T Guardian that the child’s father, who lives at Morvant, tried on several attempts to get custody of the child but was unsuccessful.

Police attached to the CPU later contacted the child’s father, and the two were reunited at the station. However, officers said an assessment will have to be done to determine if the father can fulfil the necessary requirements before he can get custody.

Enraged brothers of the arrested woman told T&T Guardian they were so angry with their nephew’s beating that they were about to beat their sister, but were stopped by their mother. This, however, led to the recording the incident and posting it online.

PC Lockitt was awaiting instructions on what charges will be laid against the mother last evening.

Hazel Manning says she’s faced a tough time dealing with the death of her husband, former prime minister Patrick Manning, who died a year ago.

However, she said yesterday his legacy of leadership has helped her to move on.

Speaking to reporters during a first anniversary memorial service at the St Paul’s Anglican Church on Harris Promenade, San Fernando, Hazel revealed for the first time that she had formed a company called The Leadership Firm in honour of her dead husband.

She said she hoped to build good leadership qualities whilst boosting productivity and efficiency through strategic planning through the firm.

Asked what had helped her to cope with Manning’s death over the past year, she said: “It was very difficult. We missed him terribly and we realise just how much he was the centre of the home.”

Saying she was thankful for the 40 years she spent living with him, Hazel said his sons, David and Brian, were also trying hard to emulate him and pass on the legacy that he left through the Patrick Manning Foundation.

However, she said Manning’s therapist told her that she needed to build her own life and that was how The Leadership Firm was formed.

“When we went to Washington, one of the things that the therapist advised is to go back into normal life and since then he has helped me to put together the company that I now have,” Manning said.

The firm targets companies and individuals both young and old in the hope of creating better leaders.

Asked whether there was a leadership crisis in T&T, Hazel said more research was needed on leadership styles.

“There is not enough knowledge on who are leaders and what kind of leader you are. I cannot say what kind of leader Patrick was or what kind of leader the present leader is. I can’t say what kind of leader Eric Williams was,” she said.

“What we have to do is put a system in place to do the research to understand our leaders. Are they autocratic or democratic or laissez faire? Were they transformational leaders?

“That is one of the things we have to put in place so leaders can understand who and what they are. With that understanding they can develop into better leaders.”

Asked if Manning’s policies and ideas were being fulfilled by the current People’s National Movement, Hazel said: “I don’t know, I have not been following this as I have not been close to the party. I don’t know what is happening.”

She said it was Manning’s vision to develop the country to first-world status by “encouraging people to be more competent, efficient and productive.”

Asked why Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had not attended Manning’s memorial service, Hazel said Rowley sent his apologies and explained he had another function to attend.

A homeless man has died after being shot by the police during a fracas at Cross Crossing, San Fernando, yesterday. Up to press time the deceased had not identified.

Police said around 10.30 am they received a report that the man was brandishing a cutlass near the Vehicle Management Company Limited at Union Hall, San Fernando. When they arrived the man allegedly rushed one of the officers with the blade.

A single shot was fired and he was hit in the chest. The man was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where he subsequently died. Police are now calling on members of the public to assist in identifying him.

This is the sixth police killing within recent times. Among those killed by police were Paul Marchan, Raymond Joseph, Daniel Paul and Edison Thompson.

Marchan, 30, was shot dead by officers of the Western Division Task Force on March 16, after he reportedly attacked a family member and tried to stab two police officers at Richplain, Diego Martin. Joseph, a retired soldier, was shot dead on April 1, while Daniel Paul, 23, was killed for throwing stones on June 5. Thompson, 45, was shot dead for attacking a soldier with a hammer.

It was only on Friday that the Police Complaints Authority announced that it will resume probes into police shootings following the appointment of a PCA Deputy Director Michelle Solomon-Baksh. Investigations were halted on May 8 after the former deputy Andre Stroude resigned his post to take up an appointment as a judge at the Industrial Court.

The PNM Women’s League said yesterday it is disappointed over “all that has transpired” since McDonald’s re-appointment and revocation of the post.

The league had lauded her recent reappointment, but post-revocation yesterday stated, “Mrs. McDonald’s advocacy on behalf of her constituents is well known, and there was great optimism with her reinstatement.

“The Women’s League views with concern the many disparaging personal attacks that our colleague has endured since her removal from the Cabinet in 2016 and the dignity with which she has borne the insults. If anything at all, the events of the past few days have demonstrated the weaknesses of many of our systems, and indeed the personal frailties which characterise all our lives, but which are magnified on those who hold public office.

“The PNM Women’s League of the People’s National Movement will continue to offer its support to all our members, including Mrs. McDonald. We’re of the view that the values we hold as a party must and will always supersede any one individual, and the greater good of country must be the deciding factor.

“Given the stature of our colleague, we know she’ll continue to expend her energies in the service of citizens and the country, and we wish her God’s abundance, particularly in this time of deep trial.”

Several PNM MPs were mum yesterday on developments.

“People won’t be speaking - the PM has spoken,” one said.

WHO IS MARLENE MCDONALD?

• PNM PoS South MP and Community Development Minister (2007-2010) in the Patrick Manning PNM administration

• Rowley PNM Opposition whip (June 2010-June 2015)

• Housing/Urban Development Minister in the Rowley Government (September 2015-March 16 2016)

• Shifted from Government’s Parliamentary front bench to the backbench last seat after being removed as a Minister due to Integrity and police probes (March 2016).

• October 2016 cleared by Integrity Commission on some aspects of probe against her but still under commission investigation on other aspects and also still being investigated by police.

• Announced as Public Utilities Minister - June 28

• Sworn in - June 30.

• Shifted from last seat on end of PNM Parliamentary backbench to middle of backbench - June 30

• Appointment revoked - July 1.

• Status now described on Parliament website - “Government member.”

In what’s probably the shortest-lived Government appointment in recent memory, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday fired Marlene McDonald from his Cabinet (again) after he had re-appointed her to office just three days ago. In fact, McDonald didn’t even have time to move into the Public Utilities Ministry for which she had been announced last Thursday and for which she’d taken the oath of office at President’s House, St Ann’s, last Friday.

And her Port-of-Spain South constituents - like Kenroy Dopwell - are now hurt and angry enough to urge her to challenge Rowley for the leadership in next year’s People’s National Movement (PNM) election.

“I done - I can’t support something or a leader that don’t support we or my MP, so we go support she to fight the PNM leadership in 2018. Or resign and form she own party. You can’t get divorce twice and stay in a marriage,” Dopwell added yesterday.

Following the Prime Minister’s revocation of McDonald’s appointment as Public Utilities Minister, he’s now taken on the duties of that ministry in addition to his own.

It was the second sacking for McDonald, whose previous ministerial appointment as Housing Minister was revoked in March 2016 after she became subject of Integrity Commission and police investigations regarding certain allegations. Those involved a close associate and matters pertaining to issues at the Calabar Foundation and at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

This time, McDonald was removed following concern in and out of the Government - including social media criticism - regarding her appearance at last Friday’s swearing-in function at President’s House.

At the function with her was Cedric ‘Burkie” Burke, a Sea Lots community leader who was detained in the 2011 state of emergency and charged with being a gang leader. He was subsequently freed.

The T&T Guardian confirmed that pictures of McDonald and Burke at the President’s House function were brought to the attention of Rowley - head of T&T’s National Security Council - last Friday evening moments after they began surfacing on social media. PNM sources said he was definitely “not pleased.”

The PM was said to have contacted McDonald that night and she was asked to submit a resignation by noon Saturday. It’s understood, however, that she asked for time and to see him at 9 am yesterday.

Last Saturday, OPM Minster Stuart Young had said Rowley was chairman of the NSC and as such was “in possession of certain information,” had “certain concerns” and would “address the concerns.”

McDonald met the PM around 10 am yesterday at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. Also present was the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.

McDonald was given the revocation letter, it was confirmed. A source indicated that the Prime Minister “did most of the talking.” McDonald later left in her SUV with the windows rolled up, refusing to take questions from media waiting outside.

A statement subsequently issued by the PM’s Office at 1.08 pm stated: “Prime Minister the Honourable Dr Keith Rowley has today advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Ms. Marlene McDonald, Minister of Public Utilities with immediate effect.

“Ms. McDonald was recently sworn in as Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities after a sixteen (16) month period of absence from the Cabinet.”

The statement also advised that the Public Utilities portfolio would be assigned to the PM.

Government sources said Rowley had to balance all aspects of the situation, party, as well as Government, and the matter that occurred with McDonald was the “essence of an unforced error” of her making.

McDonald didn’t answer calls yesterday. But sources close to her said she was “very disappointed “ and in a pensive mood initially. They said she spent most of the day speaking to friends and was in a better frame of mind later in the day. She also spoke to members of her constituency, including Dopwell.

On McDonald’s state of mind hours after her firing, Dopwell said, “She’s disciplined, she’s ready, I suppose to pick up the pieces and work again in PNM’s interest.”

But he also vented his anger about the situation.

The T&T Guardian understands a number of proposals were being put to McDonald yesterday apart from contesting internal PNM polls.

McDonald, however, hasn’t responded on whether she would give up the PoS South seat, after what several supporters say is great public embarrassment. PoS South officials indicated she may hold an open meeting with constituents at PoS City Hall later this week.

Jean Elder, chairman of McDonald’s PNM PoS South constituency, said yesterday, “The way I feel? ...I’m keeping it to myself and Ms McDonald. But of course there’s a lot of disappointment.”

But Elder said McDonald “is a strong woman” and didn’t think McDonald would give up the seat.

“People crying all over Sea Lots!”

This was the pained cry of Sea Lots businessman Kenroy Dopwell, who had been at President’s House with MP Marlene McDonald last Friday.

“This is a strong face I have here, but I done pelt out my belly already. It come like you had hope and all your hope now fall down! Because of social media!” Dopwell said as he sat outside a building in Sea Lots yesterday.

“Is from celebration to sorrow we gone yes. Was 48 hours of joy, proud moment for Port-of-Spain South, proud moment for hotspot areas - you was just a hero, get the fifth largest ministry in the Government, you ent even walk in the building - then they fire you!”

Meanwhile the man who inadvertently led to Mc Donald’s firing, Cedric Burke, who Dopwell said was also a mobiliser for McDonald in the area, meanwhile declined comment on her firing, save to say “We is cockroach in fowl party.”

Dopwell said Burke was “in a mess ... it come like she lose she work because of him.”

Dopwell, who has supported McDonald since she became MP, had plenty venting to do.

“... And we don’t intend to burn tyres and block road like everybody expect, we handling this different, like a new PNM. So we ready to work for her to challenge Rowley for the leadership in 2018.

“You can’t support something that not supporting you. If we not supporting my MP, then I can’t support him and if he’s the leader, I can no longer support the party. This is a most difficult constituency, Marlene manage it for five years in Opposition and 16 months out of a ministry and we was good.”

Dopwell said he knew people expected a fiery response from the constituency.

“The police already call me today,” he said.

“We help bring these people (PNM) into government and this is the treatment? (Name called) and dem is dog, boy! If it was a member of the one per cent, she woulda been going in office in the morning - but is the colour of the skin.”

Dopwell was extremely bitter and caustic in his criticism of Rowley.

“You not supporting your own? You against one of your best people? We seeing now what (Manning) say... You fire somebody for social media? Kamla have more testicular fortitude!

“Your best lieutenant, stand up there with you, she swallow all what Kamla and dem push down PNM throat, she take sleepless nights - defended you, and the PNM. She work to restore PNM back. They go get what coming ...”

Glamorgan spiker, Ryan Stewart will lead this country’s 12-member senior men’s volleyball team in their quest for a third Senior Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Championship crown in the last four outings when the eight-team tournament serves off at the National Cycling Centre, in Balmain, Couva, today from 2pm. The event will conclude on Sunday.

Tonight, T&T winners of the title for the first time in 2010 in Suriname and three years ago on home soil, the last time the competition was held will open its campaign from 9pm tonight against Curacao in Pool D.

However, from 2pm, action will get going with 2008 champion Martinique up against Suriname in the opening D encounter as well followed by Jamaica and tournament finals debutants Haiti at 4pm.

The opening ceremony will take place from 6pm followed by a tense battle between ten-time winners Barbados and 2012 champion Bahamas from 7pm before T&T and Suriname closes out the first night of action.

In addition to Stewart other regular members of the senior T&T line-up selected in the squad are vice-captain and former Finland-based Akim Bushe , Joshua Mohammed and Brandon Legall.

Former national youth captain, Marlon “Waldo” Phillip and Daneil Williams, who will both represent T&T at the 2017 FIVB World Beach Volleyball Championship in Austria at the end of July are also named to the roster along with Enrique Harry, Mikheil Hoyte, Kwesi Daniel, Adriel Roberts and Kameron Donald.

Notable absentees for the host will be Simon Blake, the “Best Spiker” and “Most Valuable Player” award recipient when it last won on home soil two years ago, and Portugal-based Marc-Anthony Honore.

Blake will not take part in this year’s edition as he is currently sidelined by an FIVB ban for a failed drug test at a NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit Tournament while Honore is coming off an injury-prone season with Portugal A-1 champions, SL Benfica and did not participate in his team’s final, but should be available for the NORCECA Continental Championship in Colorado Springs, Denver (September 24 - October 2), should T&T qualify.

This year’s tournament is of utmost importance to all teams as it will not only crown a CAZOVA champion, but serves as the Second Round of FIVB World Championship Qualifying as well as a qualifier to the NORCECA Continental Championship, where five berths to the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Bulgaria and Italy will be up-for-grabs.

Commenting on the tournament, Morrison, who will be making his senior team coaching debut said he expects the overall competition to be tough.

“As champions and playing on home soil I expect all the teams will be coming to beat us and give off their best effort. So we have to be on our top game from the first day and take it match and match.”

At the NORCECA Continental Championship, the teams qualified to date are USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico.

They will be joined by the top two qualified teams from the tournaments of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) plus Guatemala and Dominican Republic who qualified from the tournament held in AFECAVOL.

Torcello is again journeyed a ‘million miles’ from his Kingsclere base for an ‘aged’ Maiden Stakes over nine furlongs of ‘good to soft’ Hamilton today; last month Andrew Balding’s charge impressed on debut at Carlisle!

Only Godolphin-owned Pilgrim’s Treasure prevented this Born At Sea colt from springing a first-up surprise under Liam Keniry; winning distance was two and a half lengths with the rest six lengths and upwards in arrears, often a sign of solid form.

Trainer Keith Dalgleish will have been vexed to note the declaration of Torcello!

Keith has been campaigning consistent, hitherto luckless Somnambulist in similar races and only last week hit the crossbar in similar circumstances.

Somnabulist rates an obvious each-way alternative but Torcello and Keeniry come out several pounds superior on the time-handicap which also pinpoints David Simcock-trained Another Eclipse in a five-runner 3-y-o Maiden Stakes over ten furlongs of ‘good’ ground Brighton which dries up quickly, especially at this time of year, usually the hottest!

Another Eclipse has a relatively simple task unless once-raced Frosting from the in-form yard of William Haggas ‘finds time’ which is unlikely according to reports of recent home-work.

Charles Hills is confident Expecting will make it third time lucky in a shallow-looking 2-y-o Novice Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to soft’ Chepstow tonight, it will be extremely disappointing if that isn’t the outcome.

Expecting has been working well in strings containing plenty of winners and improved on debut sixteen days ago when a close fourth in a bunch finish to well-backed Gotti over the minimum trip.

South African jockey Gavin Lerena was aboard Expecting; he’s now gone back home, having failed to ‘cut the mustard’ so to speak, and we’re delighted to see 2015 computer champ, Richard Kingscote, on our side. He’s ‘special!’

Jockeyship is a major factor when punting seriously, certainly you should never back thoroughbreds ridden by second-graders!

Expect this combination to be firmly ‘on the premises’ on a fast-ish track which should be ideal!

Cliffs Of Moher, Barney

Cliffs Of Moher and Barney Roy feature among 16 entries for the Group One Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien earmarked the 10 furlong contest for his beaten Investec Derby favourite Cliffs Of Moher after Epsom but the three-year-old is only one of five entries from Ballydoyle.

The year older pair of Deauville and Johannes Vermeer could also line-up with Orderofthegarter and Taj Mahal other possible representatives from the Classic generation.

Eminent, a close fourth in the Epsom Classic, could join Cliffs Of Moher in dropping back in distance while Barney Roy could be putting his stamina to the test after winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Richard Hannon’s colt had previously finished over two lengths in front of Eminent when second in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The trip is no problem for the progressive and tough Permian, the winner of the Dante and King Edward VII Stakes already this season, and could prove to be the optimum for Salouen who was behind Mark Johnston’s runner at Royal Ascot.

Ulysses could represent Sir Michael Stoute while smart miler Lightning Spear is a fascinating entry for David Simcock following his below par run in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Simcock has also engaged Algometer and Desert Encounter while Blond Me, Decorated Knight and Jack Hobbs complete the possibles.

Hamilton, 3.00 Torcello (e.w)

Brighton, 3.15 Another Eclipse

Chepstow, 6.40 Expecting (nap-e.w)

It “certainly” was the appearance of Sea Lots community leader Cedric “Burkie” Burke with Marlene McDonald at President’s House last Friday which caused Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to fire her.

And Rowley wouldn’t have reappointed McDonald if he’d known that situation would have become an issue, he confirmed yesterday.

“It certainly did ...” Rowley told reporters during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, when asked if firing McDonald on Sunday had to do with Burke’s appearance during her swearing-in.

Rowley, who leaves today for the annual Caricom summit in Grenada, spoke about his rehiring of McDonald in last week’s Cabinet reshuffle and why he fired her two days after she was sworn in at President’s House last Friday.

He also slammed the Integrity Commission and detractors who felt he didn’t consider the commission and police probes concerning McDonald in reappointing her.

Rowley fired McDonald on Sunday after concerns arose about her appearance at her swearing-in function with Burke among her supporters. Criticism of the situation swirled on social media.

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

But while Rowley’s statements indicated it was McDonald’s decision to take Burke to the event which caused her removal, he also had a response to queries on whether—with hindsight—he was prepared to admit he’d made a mistake in reappointing her in the first place.

“Well, had I known that it would have ended up in this way, had I known the swearing-in would have become the national conversation, I may not have done that,” he said.

“Had I known that the swearing-in would become an issue—if I had a crystal ball to look into it and ask if I appointed her, the swearing-in would have resulted in this— clearly I wouldn’t have.

“But the bottom line is I had no way of knowing the swearing-in would have resulted in this situation. However, that’s a different question to whether I should have brought her back. I made a decision based on my overall view of the landscape and there are those who agree and those who don’t.”

He later declined to respond on whether he would have made the reappointment.

“I’m not going down that road. I responded to a development that required intervention on my part. I’m not having a press conference to debate whether I knew who was coming to a swearing-in or not,” he added.

But Rowley confirmed the circumstances around what happened at President’s House had resulted in revocation of McDonald’s appointment and there was “sufficient information for rejection of the developments” there.

On why McDonald’s affiliation with Burke was such an issue, Rowley said, “Let me spell it out: it’s very easy for one to say and to remember that in the issue of responding to crime and criminality in T&T, there’s a view in many quarters that the Government’s inability—other governments also—to properly respond to the threat of criminality is because of a closeness and an association between government personnel and people engaged in criminal conduct.”

The PM stressed: “Nothing that supports that is to be encouraged in any form or fashion.”

He added, “The minister had a responsibility not to do anything that would prevent the Government from engaging the national community— those law-abiding and those law breaking—in such a way the Government preserves its ability to discharge its responsibilities to the population.

“This Government will retain its ability to speak with moral and other authority in its fight against crime and criminality and we’ll jealously preserve our ability to do so by ensuring we don’t compromise ourselves in any way.”

Pressed further, he said: “When I speak or take action on this matter, suffice to say I speak as Prime Minister and chairman of the National Security Council—who more than likely will have a bit more information than anyone else. And the decisions I make are decisions made against that background.”

On whether any other Cabinet members will be probed for such affiliations, the PM said: “Anywhere it’s found that there is support for that kind of allegation, which will result in great discomfort to the national community, there would be a need for a response.”

Security protocols at President’s House need urgent review

On the breach of protocol by Burke, Rowley said there were certain “imperatives” that needed tightening, including observances of protocols and ensuring water-tight systems at President’s House.

The situation there last Friday resulted in his having discussions with McDonald and his decision not to have her as a Cabinet member, he said.

Rowley said as a result of the situation, security arrangements at President’s House need review, more rigorous protocols are required and procedures should be more forcefully followed so that last Friday’s situation doesn’t recur.

Detailing what occurred hours after he left President’s House, Rowley said, “I spoke to Ms McDonald on this matter as soon as it came to my attention. I attended the swearing-in and left it promptly as the documentation was completed and the official photographs taken, so I had no idea that had gone on.

“I then travelled to Tobago on Friday night and about 7.45 pm that night I was informed of these developments. I immediately sought to communicate with Ms McDonald. I wasn’t able to communicate with her until midnight and we had some discussions on the matter and I expressed my concern and indicated to her on Friday night how I intended to deal with it.”

Rowley said she had the option then of resigning.

“That’s always available when matters like this are in the process of coming out. When I expressed my concerns, the option of resignation was always there. But the bottom line is that as Prime Minister I couldn’t turn a blind eye to that development.”

When he met with her on Sunday morning, Rowley said, “My relationship and my conversations with Ms McDonald was very civil and very forthright as it has always been.”

On Burke’s protestation that he could not understand the claims being made about his character since he had no convictions, Rowley said he wasn’t prepared to debate on Burke or others, “all of whom have entrenched rights to live in T&T, without certain kind of harassment.”

“However, in treating with safety, security, crime and criminality and citizens’ comfort, I hold the office of National Security Council chairman and I may have a little more information on these matters than any other citizen,” the PM said.

He said he also wasn’t broadening the issue to probe people who may have gotten contracts from McDonald.

“Those issues are always there as we look at the general management of T&T. But all of us as MPs represent all the people in our constituencies. So having a constituent who may have questions to answer or may have run afoul of the law isn’t an offence in itself,” he said.

“If you represent people you have to interact with them. But you have a requirement and responsibility to ensure that interaction doesn’t become part of the problem.”

On perception that it’s an indictment on his judgment that he wasn’t aware of McDonald’s relationship with certain community leaders, he said “there was a lot he didn’t know, but the action I took is based on what I know.”

The Prime Minister said he knew there DIAZwas disappointment in many quarters regarding McDonald’s dismissal, “but the situation first and foremost involves Government and not party matters. There may be consideration for the party, but this is a Government action regarding a Government office.”

He said he wouldn’t be taking issue with PoS South’s selection of her as MP. On her deputy leadership, he said the PNM deals with its deputies at convention and noted that deputies assist the leader.
 

It’s unfortunate in T&T that there’s an Integrity Commission that has no integrity, says Prime Minister Keith Rowley.

Rowley waded into the Integrity Commission at a media briefing yesterday, where he defended his decision to return Marlene McDonald to Government in last week’s Cabinet reshuffle.

He also defended his decision to fire her two days after she took her oath of office at President’s House, St Ann’s, where she later appeared with Sea Lots community leader Cedric Burke.

The PM said in first reappointing McDonald before firing her again, he separated one decision from the other.

To detractors who felt Rowley didn’t consider the probe of allegations against McDonald by the commission and the police, he said,”That wasn’t true.”

He said he’d considered both and that was why he’d removed her in March 2016 after allegations arose about her dealings with the Calabar Foundation and at the Housing Development Corporation.

“I’m satisfied now the (IC) probe produced nothing,” he said yesterday.

Rowley said when he looked at McDonald’s matter and his own experience with the Integrity Commission during a probe of allegations against himself, it may very well be a situation “where the Integrity Commission is playing in the politics and people are being hurt in the process.”

He said the commission, which in October 2016 exonerated McDonald on certain aspects of its probe, said it had “other” matters to examine also. He said it was the same body that had prematurely ended Emailgate investigations, resulting in that commission’s resignation.”

He said that Integrity Commission’s actions in that issue resulted in his expulsion from Parliament. He said he’d therefore decided that if the commission couldn’t tell him what they were “holding over” McDonald’s head, even while they were exonerating her on some aspects, he’d return her to Cabinet.

He said when they eventually determined exactly what they were probing and what she may be guilty of, he’d have acted.

“We have a history and experience (with Integrity Commission) and know how far down the totem pole we’ve fallen. So I’m not prepared to accept I misled the public,” he said, adding he’d concluded it was likely the commission was engaging in what it had done before.

He said he felt the Integrity Commission should treat a subject of scrutiny in a way to make those involved in matters feel an allegation was being investigated and not have it hanging overhead indefinitely.

Rowley said he was familiar with many of the allegations against McDonald, save one about her conduct in the Housing Ministry. He said it was on that basis he’d removed her in March 2016, noting it was so that her post there wouldn’t have interfered with the probe.

“The other allegations pretty much took care of themselves,” he added.

But the Integrity Commission’s 2016 letter, which cleared her on several aspects, stated they were still examining “other” things which were undefined. He said he presumed it was the Calabar Foundation issue. However, he noted that was probed under the last PNM government and he viewed that a “certain way.”

The Integrity Commission is meeting later today, but commission officials are refusing to say whether the issues under investigation involving Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald will be on the table for discussion. However, the T&T Guardian was told that “matters of urgency” will be dealt with.

The meeting comes following a press conference yesterday, at which Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley shared the letter which the commission sent to McDonald in October last year, which he admitted had indicated that there were matters still under investigation. But with no one having made subsequent contact with her, he said he proceeded to bring her back into the Cabinet.

Under section 20 and 35 of the Integrity in Public Life Act, the commission cannot speak about matters before it. However, chairman Zainool Hosein told the T&T Guardian that generally, during its investigations, “the parties involved will get updates on the status of their investigations, what is not allowed is sending information to outsiders” who are not part of the investigation. He said while people may say the commission is taking long with an investigation, there is a procedure to follow.

“We are acting with scrupulous fairness. We have to be very careful because we are susceptible to judicial review,” he said.

If someone under investigation feels there is undue delay in their matter, Hosein said that person can write to the commission asking why the investigation is taking so long. He, however, could not say whether anyone had done that.

Yesterday, however, Hosein said he felt that within recent times, “the Prime Minister has not been as critical as he was before of the commission. I believe the Prime Minister has finally come to understand the commission is there to do its work fairly and with efficiency, that is in all the circumstances, reasonable.”

He noted there is “no such thing as a leisurely look of the information and scrutinising required against the background of the act.”

He appealed to those subject to the Integrity in Public Life Act to file their declarations and where there are issues “to go to the commission and clear them up.” He said while there has been a 95 per cent compliance with the act in Tobago, “in Trinidad there isn’t that.”