Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is awaiting a report from Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh and other authorites over allegations that he assaulted a Caribbean Airline flight attendant last Sunday. Speaking at phagwa celebrations at Palmiste Park, San Fernando yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said it would be inappropriate to comment on the issue prematurely.
“I asked the minister to give me a full report, and I have also asked the relevant authority for a report, so it will be inappropriate at this time to make any comment on the issue,” Persad-Bissessar said. Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal also declined to comment on the issue.
Speaking at the San Fernando Jama Masjid’s sports day at Skinner Park, San Fernando he said: “I believe the Prime Minister has asked for a report and the Prime Minister will familiarise herself with these issues. I am sure that a statement will be made by the Prime Minister in due course. I myself am not privy to all the facts and I prefer to leave it there.”
Ramadharsingh is accused of improper behaviour and assault during a flight from Tobago when flight attendant Ronelle Laidlow requested that he move his luggage, however he refused. A police report also alleged that when Ramadharsingh exited the plane, he reached for Laidlow’s ID badge, which was pinned to her uniform and his hand brushed against her left breast. It added that he threatened her, telling her that her days at Caribbean Airlines were numbered.
The minister has since apologised for his behaviour, saying that he was suffering from severe fatigue. However, he has denied any physical confrontation with the flight attendant. There have been calls for Ramadharsingh’s removal by Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah, Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner and secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Sat Maharaj.