Leader of the Opposition Dr Keith Rowley says he is ready for Wednesday’s presentation of the report of the Committee of Privileges on a matter against him. House Leader Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal confirmed that the work of the committee had been completed and its report would be presented in Parliament on Wednesday. Opposition members of the committee did not attend yesterday’s meeting. Rowley said he maintained his right under the Constitution to natural justice.
“I am ready, I am always ready,” Rowley said in response to questions on the report during a news conference at the Opposition’s caucus room yesterday. He said if he pursued that position against the committee, he would only be doing so under the provisions of the Constitution. Rowley said he would take that position whether he was an MP or a citizen without title walking on the pavement.
He was accused of bringing the House into odium, he said, but he had “no unique rights with respect to bringing the House into odium. Others can bring the House into odium too.” Rowley said, “I just hope that my colleagues are aware of that.”
Earlier, in a separate interview in the Parliament, Moonilal confirmed the eighth meeting of the committee on the Rowley matter and said he had signed its report, which was confidential. Moonilal confirmed that not all the members of the committee were at yesterday’s 90-minute meeting, but said there was a quorum. He said he had signed “one report” of the committee.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar moved a matter of privilege against Rowley in Parliament on May 22, three days after he presented a motion of no confidence against her. In her motion, Persad-Bissessar said Rowley was in contempt of the House for statements he made during his presentation.
It was during that debate that Rowley presented 31 e-mails from addresses reportedly belonging to Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and other government officials about the August 2012 proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Bill 2011.
According to Rowley the e-mails spoke about moves to intimidate the T&T Guardian reporter who broke the exclusive story about the proclamation in September last year.