PM Kamla still seeking information on Warner issue; won't comment further until facts are established

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar: "I would make an informed decision in this matter once the facts are established."

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a media release Saturday she has no further information on matters reported in the international and local media relating to a story that first came from the Reuters news agency.

The Reuters story stated that Jack Warner's son, Daryan Warner, is a "cooperating witness" in an FBI investigation into alleged corruption in international soccer, citing unnamed U.S. law enforcement sources.

Read the story:

FBI has cooperating witness for soccer fraud probe: sources

Soon after the Reuters story came was brought to the PM's attention on March 27th she office release the following statement:

"I will not rely on published reports in the media, but will again seek to get official corroboration of the information now in the public domain before making any determination or pronouncement."

In Saturday's media release the PM stated that on that same day she instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Dookeran to pursue the matter using the established diplomatic channels to obtain the relevant facts and seek clarification on the reported allegations.

She also asked Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, to write his counterpart, the US Attorney General, Eric Holder Jr., directly "to seek his personal intervention in the matter so that there can be official confirmation of the facts and circumstances surrounding this the alleged investigation".

She said, "Unfortunately, whilst there has been great diplomatic cooperation, attempts to elicit further information and clarification have thus far not been successful."It would be premature if not prejudicial for me to act without any official clarification or confirmation from the US Authorities on this controversial and sensitive matter."

The Prime Minister added that she is committed to upholding the high ethical standards "which the public legitimately and rightly expects of my Government, but I am equally mindful that the commitment to the rule of law requires balance and respect for the presumption of innocence.

"As Head of the Government, I would make an informed decision in this matter once the facts are established."