In a media release Thursday, the Office of the Prime Minister said the Prime Minister had previously in a statement made in Parliament clarified the basis on which she exercised her constitutional veto in this matter.
"Her decision was based on representation, made by the Minister of Finance the Honorable Winston Dookeran who feared that the stability of the work undertaken by the Financial Intelligence Unit would be adversely affected by any sudden change at the helm," the release stated.
"Mr. Dookeran had commended the present acting Director Susan Francios for her efforts in the strategic planning and management of the Financial Intelligence Unit and observed that this work would have contributed to the improved rating given to Trinidad and Tobago by the Financial Action Task Force," it added.
The opposition had claimed in Parliament that Trinidad and Tobago was blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force. However, the Government rejected this and subsequently clarified that "the country was not blacklisted, but had been placed on the “dark grey list” and were subject to the ICRG enhanced monitoring process."
The release said in June 2011 the plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force meeting reviewed Trinidad and Tobago’s position and found that the country took the right action. Based on that the Trinidad & Tobago status was upgraded to the “light grey” list, which means that the country was not in danger of being sanctioned.
The PM's office said a letter dated January 16th, 2012 from the Integrity Commission stated that the commission has ruled that there was no breach of the Integrity in public Life Act Chapter 22:01, "and dismissed the complaint alleging interference in the appointment of Ms. Michelle Austin to the position of Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit."
The opposition had claimed in Parliament that Trinidad and Tobago was blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force. However, the Government rejected this and subsequently clarified that "the country was not blacklisted, but had been placed on the “dark grey list” and were subject to the ICRG enhanced monitoring process."
The release said in June 2011 the plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force meeting reviewed Trinidad and Tobago’s position and found that the country took the right action. Based on that the Trinidad & Tobago status was upgraded to the “light grey” list, which means that the country was not in danger of being sanctioned.
The PM's office said a letter dated January 16th, 2012 from the Integrity Commission stated that the commission has ruled that there was no breach of the Integrity in public Life Act Chapter 22:01, "and dismissed the complaint alleging interference in the appointment of Ms. Michelle Austin to the position of Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit."
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