Senior Political Reporter
Government MP Keith Scotland, SC, says he is ready for the job in National Security and will divulge his direction with police matters after he receives his instruments of appointment this afternoon. And while some business groups are hopeful about Scotland’s appointment, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other UNC MPs said it will make no difference.
Views arose yesterday after Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that PNM Port-of-Spain South MP Scotland would be appointed to the National Security Ministry to specifically handle police matters. Scotland will operate with Fitzgerald Hinds, who retains the post of National Security Minister.
The development came as T&T’s murder toll for 2024 stood at 336. The announcement is the latest change to Rowley’s Cabinet since 2022. Scotland is an addition to Rowley’s team of 23 Cabinet ministers.
Scotland, who was elected MP in the 2020 general election, had not held a portfolio and has been a backbencher. He was appointed Senior Counsel in June. Yesterday Scotland said, “I intend to say more about my plans after I receive my instruments of appointment (Friday), but rest assured—I’m ready. I’ve already started my work by acquainting myself with the landscape, and I’m grateful for the position to serve.”
Opposition Leader says his appointment will make no difference
However, Persad-Bissessar said, “This will make no difference because Mr Scotland will still have to take instructions from Fitzgerald Hinds, who is his line minister.
“This is just a propaganda ploy because Rowley has no idea what to do. Just the fact that Rowley retained Hinds and placed Scotland under him as a junior shows that Rowley believes Hinds is more competent than Scotland. Imagine that? So we can’t expect anything to improve.”
Persad-Bissessar added, “You’d think he would find a competent person to replace Hinds instead of appointing a less competent person to the ministry.” UNC chairman Dave Tancoo said, “Adding clueless mediocrity to chronic incompetence isn’t likely to provide the robust, fearless leadership that’s urgently needed at National Security’s ministerial level.
“The addition of Minister Scotland to assist in propping up the floundering tenure of Fitzgerald Hinds is frankly underwhelming and uninspired. Mr Scotland has previously demonstrated that his worldview is woefully divorced from the lived reality of the average Trinbagonian, having advised struggling citizens to use coal pots and ride bicycles to cope with the unbearably high cost of living.”
Tancoo noted, “Further, he seems to be unacquainted with T&T’s geography, once referencing the non-existent district of ‘Penay Dibal’ in one of his parliamentary contributions. Therefore, I’m not confident that he possesses a comprehensive understanding of this country and its security issues.
“If this is the best that Prime Minister Rowley and the PNM can do for T&T’s besieged citizens, then it’s clear that national security will continue to be bungled while innocent people pay the price. The Prime Minister must do better or step down. There is no other alternative.”
UNC deputy leader Roodal Moonilal added, “This ‘appointment’ is a non-appointment! Once Hinds remains senior minister, nothing can change. Mr Scotland will be frustrated out of his wits! Hinds must resign in disgrace! The central pillar of his ministry has been ‘abducted’!”
“Regrettably, this brings no change to the state of lawlessness and the high crime rate. Only the removal of Rowley and his incompetent Government will bring meaningful change. This is just an additional ‘barrel’ making more noise.”
UNC Mayaro MP Rushton Paray said,”Crime is tearing T&T to shreds. This battle urgently needs new perspectives and innovative solutions. MP Scotland is taking over a portfolio that’s been ravaged by incompetence and laziness. Dr Rowley shows a severe lack of judgement by retaining Minister Hinds. For everyone’s sake, I hope MP Scotland can succeed in his new role.”
TTMA, Sando Chamber, Confederation hopeful
Kiran Singh, who heads the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said, “The Prime Minister’s decision to promote MP Scotland is viewed as a move that seeks to address T&T’s growing crime wave. MP Scotland’s considered a very reputable criminal attorney who can assist TTPS’s crime-fighting efforts.
“Unfortunately, crime is escalating, and Government needs more manpower to direct the armed forces’ fight against criminal elements. This demonstrates to the public that Government is dedicating an additional minister to address police reports, which are probably much higher than they’ve ever been in history. We hope with this inclusion, greater direction can be initiated within TTPS.”
Vivek Charran, president of the Confederation of Regional Business Chambers, said, “We hope Mr Scotland’s appointment leads to control of crime and dismantling of gangs—not appeasement of the criminal and gang factor in communities.”
Meanwhile, the T&T Manufacturers’ Association president Roger Roach said, “We support any measure to assist the ministry and TTPS in law enforcement responsibilities. Mr Scotland has been chairman of the National Security JSC, so he’s familiarised himself with issues, has interviewed the police commissioner and other members of the national security apparatus, and he’s an attorney of many years, especially in the criminal courts. We look forward to him bringing all of these skills to bear in the ministry in curbing T&T’s crime.”
ABOUT KEITH SCOTLAND SC
Prime Minister Keith Rowley said Keith Scotland (SC) who is entering Cabinet will have to give up his law practice. Scotland will also have to give up chairmanship of Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on National Security .
Attorney Keith Scotland was educated at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados where he attained a Bachelor of Law (Hons). He also holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Industrial Sociology and Social Psychology from UWI St. Augustine.
Scotland has over 25 years standing in Trinidad and Tobago. His areas of expertise include Criminal, Corporate, Civil, Industrial Relations and Family matters. He’d headed Virtus Chambers an 11 year old law firm . Scotland has practiced in Barbados, St. Vincent. Grenada and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica, Guyana and British Virgin Islands
Scotland has appeared as Advocate Counsel before TT’s Court of Appeal and High Courts and other commonwealth jurisdictions, as well as the Industrial Court, Magistrates Court and before various Commissions and Tribunals .He’s functioned as a lecturer with University of the West Indies, Employers Solution Centre, Cipriani Labour College, San Fernando Technical Institute, YTEPP and Hugh Wooding Law School among others.
Since serving as a POS South MP in Parliament from August 2020, Scotland has chaired the Joint Select Committee on National Security and was a member of the JSC on Legal and Finance; and on a JSC on the Shipping Bill, 2020;