Partap's decision to call Ag CoP injudicious, unnecessary and inappropriate: Warner

File: Jack Warner

National Security Minister Jack Warner issued a media statement Monday pointing out that there was never any confrontation between the police and former junior minister Collin Partap.

The minister stated that Partap's decision to call the acting commissioner "injudicious, unnecessary and inappropriate".

The minister's full statement is published below:

"At approximately 5:00 a.m. the then Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Collin Partap, made a call to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams, advising him of a confrontational situation with police officers. Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams exercised his discretion to arrive at the Belmont Police Station to ascertain the level of the confrontation.

"Upon his arrival the then Minister Partap explained to the Acting Commissioner that he did not see the need for him to take a breathalyser test. Acting Commissioner Williams explained the options to the then Minister Partap which were that he could refuse to take the test and be formally charged or he could take the test and allow the results to determine his innocence or guilt.

"The then Minister Partap agreed to have the breathalyser tests administered. The results of the breathalyser test revealed that he was well within the legal limit. The then Minister was asked to complete a report on the matter by police at the Belmont Police Station and allowed to leave.

"The Ministry of National Security conducted its own investigations which reveal that there was no evidence of any confrontational situation between the then Minister Partap and any police officer and as such the then Minister's request for the presence of the Acting Commissioner of Police was deemed injudicious, unnecessary and inappropriate.

"A report on the circumstances was submitted for consideration of the Honourable Prime Minister. Following discussions with the then Minister Partap, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar took the decision to advise the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Professor George Maxwell Richards to revoke the appointment of Minister Partap with immediate effect.

"This decision is consistent with the Prime Minister's decree that Ministers must act at all times with the prudence and decorum befitting the office they hold and, moreover, the Prime Minister has reiterated, once again, that no one is above the law.

"Jack Warner, Minister of National Security."