PM Kamla's security adviser says PM's security takes precedence over unplanned media interviews

File: Security personnel protect PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar from a mob outside the HDC offices in Port of Spain last month

The national Security Adviser to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a media release Monday stating that reporters should not consider it an "entitlement" for the Prime Minister to give impromptu interviews at the pleasure of the media.

Gary Griffith explained that while Persad-Bissessar has been very accomodating to reporters her security personnel must give priority to her personal safety.

Referring to several media reports suggesting that Persad-Bissessar refused to speak with the media on Saturday, Griffith pointed out that no media event was planned, therefore it is inaccurate to say the Prime Minister "refused" to speak with the media.

"The Prime Minister’s security detail was unaware of any planned media activity with the Prime Minister because none was arranged, so they operated in the appropriate manner," Griffith said in explaining why the PM didn't speak with the media.

"It has become an unacceptable pattern whereby certain media personnel feel that it is their entitlement for an interview with the Prime Minister, because of the contrasting style of this Prime Minister who has always been willing to accommodate and be available to the media, in sharp contrast to the arrogance of a previous one who shunned the media at almost every turn."

Griffith added, "This accommodation and agreement to speak to the media as much as possible cannot and would not be at the expense of putting her life at risk, whereby some media personnel now feel that it is an obligation and a mandatory practice that wherever and whenever the Prime Minister attends, she must speak to them, and at the place of the media’s choice."

Griffith said this has now reached "the point of being ridiculous, whereby the media would even place themselves at the door of the Prime Minister’s vehicle or deliberately block her pathway" creating a security breach. "These practices simply cannot continue," he said.

Griffith also explained that the PM does not direct or brief her security detail. He was adamant that on Saturday the PM did not cause a security cordon to be formed around and she did not refuse to speak with reporters.

Griffith said if the media would like to speak to the Prime Minister, "it cannot be taken for granted that they would do so, when and where they want, as security would not be compromised in any way."

He said the PM has always been very accommodating to the media and would continue to do so.

"But it is expected and hoped that the media understand that the security of the Prime Minister cannot be breached, and hence a more structured approach must take place prior to her arrival to ensure that she has agreed and is expecting to speak to the media, upon which a secure area would be designated for such interviews to be held after any event."