Gail Alexander
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Monday accused the Opposition of “doubling down” with questions on the recently spotlighted Special Branch 2019 report – but he said if any law was broken and anyone was to be held liable, the report’s already in the police’s hands.
He made the comment in response to queries by UNC MPs, who attempted to grill him on the issue during Monday’s Parliament sitting.
UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh asked if Rowley had instructed the Agriculture Minister and Commissioner of State Lands to launch/conduct any investigation into the report “concerning a Government Minister who is allegedly wrongfully occupying three parcels of State lands belonging to the Housing Development Corporation.”
Rowley said, ”My colleague’s engaged in doubling down– to come here and ask me about ‘allegedly’ after the person against whom they made the accusation provided a strong denial and document to prove you are wrong; again it’s pure mischief!”
Rowley said the report was a police document.
“If a law has been broken and any citizen is to be held liable for breach of that law, it means it is already in the hands of the police...as Prime Minister, I don’t give instructions to the TTPS to prosecute or persecute any citizen...if you think prosecution is warranted here, it‘s in the police’s hands—let’s see what the police will do.”
On whether the Special Branch report was authentic, Rowley said, “I’m not telling you what is or isn’t a Special Branch document. You have a document which you have put to the public and making allegations against people - you on your own with that! I think the (acting) Police Commissioner spoke to this already. I’m in no position to counteract or countermand what the CoP might have said about a police document.”
On Indarsingh’s query if Rowley no longer has confidence in Special Branch-produced reports, Rowley replied, ”When that situation arises you’ll be the first to know.”
Rowley said the land UNC “was trying make a story out of” are HDC properties but the Commissioner of State Land has no involvement there, as the Commissioner controls only lands under the State– but HDC plots when sold, are no longer under the State.
“What is wrong with you all ? What are you eating and drinking that have you so antsy?” Rowley declared.
Rowley said an immediate “No..!” to UNC MP Rodney Charles’ query whether the policy requiring HDC’s consent to any proposed transfer of HDC lands and properties by lessees/owners, has been altered or adjusted by Government.
Charles asked if Cabinet members’ families who acquired HDC land did so with HDC approval.
Rowley said, “I see the fishing line and I know the fisherman - he’s on a fishing expedition. I don’t know what he’s talking about but the answer is no. It’s not true, we haven’t changed any policy!”
