Jack Warner calls on PM to fire UDeCOTT board, deal with corruption

Jack Warner responded to Friday's temporary stay of the Uff Inquiry by demanding accountability and transparency in the handling of billions of dollars. He said the Manning administration must end the games.

The Chaguanas MP and opposition foreign affairs critic is in Cairo on FIFA business.

In a media release Saturday he said, "The issues pertaining to corruption, misconduct in office and other malfeasance must be ventilated."

Warner said, "It is clear from the conduct of the various parties that the government and certain officials of UDeCOTT are either collaborating or working separately to deny the public accountability and transparency, to cover up misdealing and to allow those involved in corruption to escape the law of my country."

He added, "On one hand the government insists that it is in control of UDeCOTT, but on the other hand it conveniently claims to be ignorant of certain activities of the company and its officials."

He added, "This is a most scandalous state of affairs and increases the suspicion and the need for a proper forensic probe into UDeCOTT."

Warner said, "The Prime Minister, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, Director of Public Prosecutions and all other public officials charged with protecting the public’s interest must do their duty and take immediate steps to ensure that justice and the Law prevails in this matter."

He noted that in the view of legal and civil luminaries the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) already have the power to act on information that is already in the public domain.

He said Manning has the power to fire the Board of UDeCOTT if he believes it is acting contrary to the policy and will of the government regarding the conduct of the Uff probe and with regard to the issue of contracts and corruption.

"He has the power to install a new Board with a mandate to cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry and to act right in all its affairs. The time has come therefore for my country to stop crying and for the Prime Minister to exercise this power in the public’s interest and in the pursuit of accountability and justice." he said.

Warner said he raise the issue again "when I speak at a bigger Forum in London on Wednesday".

The event is a world conference on football that brings together over 1,000 senior executives from five continents, who are all linked to International Clubs, Leagues, Federations and Brands to learn, to network and discuss programs aimed at ensuring the development and growth of the world’s most popular sport.