Despite another allegation of misbehaviour, this time a sex allegation, against him, fired minister Glenn Ramadharsingh still has the support of Caroni Central constituents. In the latest allegation, Patricia Singh, 47, has alleged to the police that Ramadharsingh made her perform sex acts on him on two occasions, in 2011 and eight weeks ago - at the Ministry of the People and Social Development headquarters.
In an article yesterday, Singh alleged she was made to perform the acts in order to speed up her Housing Development Corporation application. The new allegation comes two weeks after Ramadharsingh was fired for inappropriate conduct involving a female flight attendant on a domestic flight from Tobago. Some constituents were not happy with his dismissal following that incident and had called on the Prime Minister to give him another chance.
In interviews with T&T Guardian yesterday, constituents continued to stand by their MP despite the latest allegation of misconduct in public office against him. The overall consensus was that he should not step down as MP, since he was hardworking and helpful. Constituents also felt he should not be judged, since he has not been proven guilty. Fareeza Harricharan, from Cunupia, said: “We still supporting him. He works hard in the area. We should wait until this is investigated.”
Although his character has been tarnished, she said she will not call on him to step down. Another resident, who would only identify herself as Ms Ramoutar, said: “Is not like he steal something in the Government. He is good at his job and that is the main point. “I find it strange that this woman has now come out with this. I live in the constituency and I have never heard anybody say anything like that about him. He always try to help people.”
Another resident, who requested anonymity, said: “He has to make that decision himself (whether to resign as MP). All I can say is that he has been a good MP. I don’t know what else to say.” Attempts to reach UNC activist, Barrington “Skippy” Thomas, who had called for his reinstatement following his removal at a Cabinet minister, were unsuccessful yesterday as calls to his cellphone went unanswered.
MP waits for probe to end
Congress of the People (COP) chairman Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan also said she would not make any statement on the matter until the probe was completed. In an interview with the media at a Easter Bonnet parade in San Fernando yesterday, Seepersad-Bachan said: “Well first let me just say I will wait for the investigation to be performed. I don’t know, those are just newspaper reports.”
But she there is a code of conduct/ethics that all public life officials must adhere to, adding that COP, a co-founder of the PP government, had submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) a code of ethics for all members of public life. “In fact, all our ministers are required to adhere to that code of ethics and code of behaviour, so that is all i can say at this point in time,” she said, adding she could only make a pronouncement on the matter when she had all the facts.
