The Opposition People's National Movement said Thursday there is "no real reason" for Eric St Cyr to resign from his position as Chairman of the Integrity Commission.
"We want to take umbrage at the Chairman of the Integrity Commission going beyond the bounds and being improper.
"The Integrity Commission is an important institution in the country and itself must maintain the highest standards of ethics and must be able to stand scrutiny at all times. Statements like these will indeed compromise the ability of that Commission to stand scrutiny on this or other matters," Dookeran said.
However, PNM MP Colm Imbert has defended St Cyr saying the Chairman was just giving "good advice" about what the PM's decision to stay at a aprivate residence.
"As it turns out, the company appears to have been contracted with the State prior to the General Election and immediately after the Election. Therefore, questions are naturally going to be asked. I think in hindsight the Prime Minister must think that it was not the best thing to do," Imbert told the state TV station, CNMG.
There have been several calls for St Cyr to resign following an interview he gave to a national newspaper in which he said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar could have avoided controversy by staying in a hotel instead of a private residence in Tunapuna.
Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, who is also the leader of the Congress of the People (COP), said Thursday if the newspaper story is correct St Cyr might have compromised the Integrity Commission.
Dookeran said it is "more than improper" for the Chairman of the Integrity Commission to express a view that may prejudice whatever investigation ought to have taken place.
"We want to take umbrage at the Chairman of the Integrity Commission going beyond the bounds and being improper.
"The Integrity Commission is an important institution in the country and itself must maintain the highest standards of ethics and must be able to stand scrutiny at all times. Statements like these will indeed compromise the ability of that Commission to stand scrutiny on this or other matters," Dookeran said.
However, PNM MP Colm Imbert has defended St Cyr saying the Chairman was just giving "good advice" about what the PM's decision to stay at a aprivate residence.
"As it turns out, the company appears to have been contracted with the State prior to the General Election and immediately after the Election. Therefore, questions are naturally going to be asked. I think in hindsight the Prime Minister must think that it was not the best thing to do," Imbert told the state TV station, CNMG.
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