Gail Alexander
"Police Service Commission have some shame - resign now and let new people deal with the appointment of a police commissioner."
That's the call from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar who's called for answers on whether the PNM government is working behind the scenes through the independent EBC to get acting CoP Gary Griffith out.
"I don't have evidence but something is very very wrong..it is clear there is political interference in this situation regarding an appointment of a CoP," Persad-Bissessar said at last night's UNC forum.
She noted no sooner than National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds spoke on the CoP's leave issue last Friday the PSC immediately sent Griffith suspension of duty notice.
Persad-Bissessar also accused the PSC and President Paula Mae Weekes of acting unconstitutionally in the issue to the public's detriment.
Calling out PSC members by name - chairman Bliss Seepersad Courtney McNish Roger Kawalsingh, Dr Susan Craig James - and Weekes also, Persad Bissessar demanded if PSC sent the President a merit list on the Acting CoP appointment since one had to be done for that post as well as for that of Police Commissioner
She said it is alleged the President did get a merit list in August for the acting CoP post - but Persad - Bissessar asked why the President didn't send the notification to Parliament for approval as needed.
"Did the President collude with PSC chairman Seepersad?? Now we have two acting people and a constitutional crisis has arisen created by the Bliss Seepersad Commission. Did the PSC act unlawfully in sending that letter of acting appointment....you don't have that authority, only the House of Representatives can approve it."
"Tell us if you are being given instructions by politicians. How can the PSC conduct business in such a bizarre way?!".
"PSC must resign now, they have made a mockery and pappyshow out of the Commission' s work and made TT a laughingstock more than (Health Minister) Terrence Deyalsingh in the (Nickie Minaj issue) did ..."
Persad-Bissessar said she holds no brief for Griffith who she added seems to think there's a move to get him out. But noting a spate of recent murders she said one could say what one wanted about Griffith but he was always out working.
"So it's guava season for Gary and TTPS, guava season for citizens on property tax, NGC issues.."
Persad-Bissessar also said since the Prime Minister is now in isolation and one Minister has COVID-19, MPs deserve answers from the Chief Medical Officer if both had endangered other MPs who were in Parliament last week which the PM attended.