In a media briefing he slammed his critics who have been calling for him to be dismissed, saying if he had done anything wrong he would have been the first to admit it and resign.
He was particularly critical of his cabinet colleague Prakash Ramadhar who has suggested that Warner should be relieved of his cabinet responsibilities until FIFA completes the corruption investigation against him.
He said he was disappointed to learn that Ramadhar has called for his removal and suggested that his comments may have been prompted by Ramadhar's political ambitions. Ramadhar is a deputy political leader of the Congress of the People (COP) and is a candidate for the leadership of the party in the July 3 internal election.
Warner said Ramadhar should not be using the FIFA matter to gain political mileage in his quest for political mobility. He said his colleague should take the lead from prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has supported him saying he must be considered innocent until proven otherwise.
He said leadership demands accepting the concept of collective cabinet responsibility.
Warner also had harsh words for some members of the media with respect to the manner in which they reported the various issues in the matter about his FIFA role. He noted that his suspension from the world football body was headline news but when an independent probe in England cleared him on corruption allegations "nobody said boo".
Warner, who is FIFA's longest serving vice president, is accused of corrupt activities and was summoned to Zurich to appear before the organisation's Ethics Committee, which ruled on Sunday that he should be suspended for 30 days pending a full investigation at which he would be able to face his accusers. In making the ruling, the committee explained that the provisional suspension was not a determination or guilt or innocence.
At home the prime minister reacted by stating that she would stand behind Warner and she has maintained that position. Persad-Bissessar said the rule of law demands that a person be deemed innocent until proven guilty and Warner must be given that benefit.
Warner has said the process that led to his suspension was flawed and those who judged him did not consider all the evidence before them. He has appealed the decision.
Warner said people should not be too eager to pass judgment. “I know people want blood, they want Jack Warner but let us not be too hasty,” he said.
He said he intends to fight the battle to the end, noting that the matter is bigger that one person. “I will give everything I have to uphold the Caribbean,” Warner said.
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