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UNC Chairman: President Must Step Up or Step Down
Posted On 13 Oct 2021
The recent fiasco involving reports of direct political interference by a high ranking PNM Official in the process to appoint a Commissioner of Police reeks of misconduct in public office. This is not merely involvement and interference but may also be an illegal act in our jurisdiction.
This fiasco involves the President, a reported very senior Minister and the Police Service Commission.
To their credit the entire Police Service Commission viewed the issue as sufficiently significant to warrant the resignation of all Commissioners. It is unfortunate that the then Chairman of the Commission Bliss Seepersad has chosen not to provide this country with an explanation of what transpired, as this only adds to the deliberate cloud of secrecy which high office holders appear desperate to throw on the issue.
Despite being called out by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Kamla Persad Bissessar, SC, at a recent public meeting, the Prime Minister has opted to avoid providing a straight answer to direct questions. That is unacceptable.
What is even more unacceptable is the continued silence from the highest office holder in the country on this very serious constitutional issue. Worse, as with Dr. Rowley, it appears that her Excellency the President seems to prefer to continue as if this scandal, this deliberate undermining of the constitution, never occurred or is irrelevant.
The rushed submission of new names to be appointed to a new Police Service Commission without addressing the reason for the resignation of all previous Police Service Commissioners does not engender confidence in the actions of those involved and may inadvertently cast aspersions against those now being recommended to serve on the Commission.
Her Excellency is a learned jurist and former Course Director in Ethics, Rights and the Obligations of the legal profession at the High Wooding Law School. She knows that stoic silence is not an option. Citizens of this country need answers and action. This is a defining moment in our history.
We support the call of the Honourable Leader of the Opposition for Her Excellency Madam Paula Mae Weeks, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to do the right thing : Step Up or Step Down.
MP Davendranath Tancoo
Chairman, National Executive
United National Congress
