Attorney General Anand Ramlogan wants Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley to apologise to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for a statement Rowley made in the media questioning the appointment of Persad-Bissessar's cousin-in-law to the Integrity Commission.
Ramlogan told reporters at the post cabinet media briefing the remarks by Rowley are defamatory.
Ramlogan told reporters at the post cabinet media briefing the remarks by Rowley are defamatory.
 |
| Dr Ann-Marie Bissessar |
He was referring to a report in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper which quoted Rowley saying he had concerns that the Prime Minister's cousin-in-law, Dr Ann-Marie Bissessar, is a member of the Integrity Commission.
Ramlogan said Bissessar, who is the cousin of the Prime Minister's husband, was appointed during the previous PNM administration.
He said the statement has no merit. "I mean, how can you make those allegations when the Prime Minister is known, as a matter of public record, to have protested that she was not consulted on those appointments?" Ramlogan stated.
Ramlogan said on November 27th, 2009, then Opposition Leader, Basdeo Panday, wrote the President as part of his consultations on the appointment of the Integrity Commission. Persad-Bissessar was appointed as the Leader of Opposition on February 25, 2010.
President Max Ricgards appointed the Integrity Commission, which included Bissessar, on March 15th, 2010. There was no consultation with Persad-Bissessar on the matter, Ramlogan pointed out.
In fact he noted that it is public record that Persad-Bissessar publicly protested the appointment of the Commission since it was based on consultations with then Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Panday.
He also noted that the Government has no jurisdiction over the Integrity Commission.
"It is an independent body established under the Constitution. There is no question of reviewing the Integrity Commission. Once they are appointed they serve until they either die, resign or their tenure comes to an end and remember, they are appointed by the President," Ramlogan stated.
Members of the commission are Dr Eric St Cyr (chairman), retired judge Gladys Gafoor (deputy chairman), retired chief executive officer Neil Rolingson, social scientist Dr Ann-Marie Bissessar and accountant Seunarine Jokhoo.
Ramlogan said Bissessar, who is the cousin of the Prime Minister's husband, was appointed during the previous PNM administration.
He said the statement has no merit. "I mean, how can you make those allegations when the Prime Minister is known, as a matter of public record, to have protested that she was not consulted on those appointments?" Ramlogan stated.
Ramlogan said on November 27th, 2009, then Opposition Leader, Basdeo Panday, wrote the President as part of his consultations on the appointment of the Integrity Commission. Persad-Bissessar was appointed as the Leader of Opposition on February 25, 2010.
President Max Ricgards appointed the Integrity Commission, which included Bissessar, on March 15th, 2010. There was no consultation with Persad-Bissessar on the matter, Ramlogan pointed out.
In fact he noted that it is public record that Persad-Bissessar publicly protested the appointment of the Commission since it was based on consultations with then Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Panday.
He also noted that the Government has no jurisdiction over the Integrity Commission.
"It is an independent body established under the Constitution. There is no question of reviewing the Integrity Commission. Once they are appointed they serve until they either die, resign or their tenure comes to an end and remember, they are appointed by the President," Ramlogan stated.
Members of the commission are Dr Eric St Cyr (chairman), retired judge Gladys Gafoor (deputy chairman), retired chief executive officer Neil Rolingson, social scientist Dr Ann-Marie Bissessar and accountant Seunarine Jokhoo.
No comments:
Post a Comment