I was not drunk: Partap tells his side of the story

Collin Partap spoke on Monday about the night he was stopped by police and asked to take a breathalyser test. And he made a few things clear - he was not drunk, he never refused to take the test and at no time was he arrested. 

The former Minister in the Ministry of National Security said, “I just want to give my side of the story. I am not a drunk and I did not refuse to take a breathalyser test.” 

The Cumuto/Manzanilla MP explained what happened after police stopped his vehicle on August 26 outside the Zen nightclub. “I was not arrested or detained. The officers asked me to go to the Belmont Police Station and I complied. I never said no,” Partap said.

He also told reporters why he called acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams. “I didn’t ask the commissioner to bail me out. I called the commissioner to be an independent observer of the breathalyser test.” 

Partap also asked for an investigation of two pictures of him on the internet following the incident. “Those pictures were taken by police officers. I am sure of it. There were no civilians at the station at the time,” Partap declared. 

He also explained how the blue flashing lights were turned on on his vehicle. “When you are in the vehicle you can’t see the lights. I may have put them on by accident when I was turning on the air-condition,” he added. 

Partap is not disappointed that the incident caused him to lose his ministerial job. He said it now offers an opportunity for him to devote his time to his constituents who need his assistance.