Business as usual for Jack; FIFA affair not discussed at cabinet meeting

Jack Warner assured curious reporters in Port of Spain Thursday that it's business as usual for him following Wednesday's leak of a video with Warner's voice addressing delegates at a meeting of the Caribbean Football union (CFU) in Port of Spain in May.

The controversial meeting was attended by a FIFA Presidential candidate who had brought monetary gifts for the delegates.

Warner is not seen in the video but his voice is heard telling delegates about the gifts and also advising them that no one is obliged to accept it. He also made it clear that it was not a bribe or incentive to vote for the candidate, Mohammed Bin Hamman of Qatar.

Reporters were eager to find out if there was any fallout from the release of the video and whether it was on the agenda of the weekly cabinet meeting.

Warner confirmed that it was not an issue and not something that was discussed at the meeting.

"That cannot come up in Cabinet. That is of no consequence to Cabinet. FIFA is a private club that has nothing to do with Cabinet," he told journalists.

He also assured them that there is no change in his official and political duties. The Works and Infrastructure Minister is also chairman of the United National Congress (UNC), which is the principal partner in the governing coalition.

"There is no reason why business should not continue as usual. I mean, we have serious work to do here and those who want to trivialise this thing and make fun of what happening in the world, so be it, but we have work to do. For us, it is business as usual."