Tuesday, May 31, 2011

UNC supports Jack

The United National Congress (UNC) issued a media statement Monday in support of its chairman, Jack Warner, who has been temporarily suspended from his position as FIFA VIce President and is facing a full investigation over allegations of corruption.

Warner has said the process was flawed and is challenging its legality.

The statement from deputy chairman Dr Fuad Khan urged members to resist "rumour-mongering, hearsay and any vilification that may lead to Warner's conviction as FIFA vice-president." And he called on party members to stand behind Warner.

"Warner is our chairman, and by the rights of any fair and just legal system, he must be presumed innocent until otherwise proven," Khan said.

Khan said those who oppose the party are seeking to use what happened over the weekend to try to strike out at the UNC. He reminded members that Warner has made significant contributions to this country and to the sporting arena.

"This entire affair has saddened us all, but like family, we will rally to the defence of one of our own. Consequently, until the outcome of the FIFA enquiry, there is no justifiable reason for Warner to demit office as Minister of Works and Transport within the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

"To do this would, in effect, send the signal that we are convicting Warner without evidence and on a matter that is not related to Government business," he said.

Warner is also getting support from individual UNC constituencies.

However the chairman of the Congress of the People (COP) thinks Warner should step aside from his ministerial duties until the investigation is completed.

In a media release, Joseph Toney said, "A critical aspect of good governance is the maintenance of standards of ethics and integrity."

The opposition People's National Movement (PNM) is also calling on the Prime Minister to remove Warner, saying she should act the same way she did with Mary King.

The Prime Minister has already stated her support for her minister. And commentators have noted that there is no comparison between the matter regarding Warner and that of King, who was fired after she failed to disclose her connection with a family business that won a contract from her ministry.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai