Rowley slams AG on piano controversy; says PNM will be united after internal election

PNM leader Keith Rowley greets supporters during a walkabout in Sangre Grande

Keith Rowley trained his political guns on Anand Ramlogan Monday saying the Attorney general does not have the "class" to apologise for making statements amounting to an accusation that former Prime Minister Patrick Manning stole a grand piano from the Diplomatic Centre.

Ramlogan raised the issue of the piano last Wednesday in the House of Representatives, saying the piano delivered to the diplomatic centre was missing and asked Manning if he could shed some light on the whereabouts of the piano.

Manning refused to respond in the House but the next day he held a news conference and announced that when he left the official residence the instrument was there. The following day, national security adviser to the Prime Minister, Gary Griffith, confirmed that the piano was found at the diplomatic centre.

Ramlogan subsequently "thanked" Manning for saying where the piano might be found but at the same time refused to offer an apology to Manning. Instead he slammed Manning for concealing the purchase of 10 grand pianos at a cost of nearly US$1 million. 

The University of Trinidad and Tobago bought the pianos from the US.

Rowley spoke with reporters Monday during a walkabout in Sangre Grande. "He does not have the class to apologise. He doesn't have that class...This is the Attorney General...who swore an oath of office to treat fairly with all manner of persons without fear, without malice, without ill will and will stand up in the Parliament an virtually accuse a former prime minister of stealing a piano," the opposition leader said.

"We want to be represented by people of class and the Attorney General has demonstrated time and time again that class and Anand Ramlogan don't go together. We are happy that these things are happening in full public view, so the public will come to its own conclusion. And we will leave it to the public to decide whether we are properly represented," he said.

Rowley also spoke about media reports that said some members of the People's National Movement (PNM) are planning a revolt to undermine his authority and seize control of the PNM's national executive in the March 20 election.

The Sunday Express reported that the move was being led by Diego Martin North/East Member of Parliament, Colm Imbert, who had considered challenging Rowley for the leadership of the party shortly after Manning resigned following his defeat in the 2010 general election.

Rowley dismissed the reports and said people have different preferences and that's OK in a democratic institution. "I guarantee you that on March 21 these developments will be history and you will see a coming together of the PNM in a way that will make us all proud," Rowley said.