Judiciary says PM's security adviser made "reckless" remarks to UK reporter

Gary Griffith in under fire from the Judiciary for a statement he made to a reporter on a British television service. 

The Prime Minister's National Security Adviser was interviewed about the need for a State of Emergency. 

The reporter, Seyi Rhodes, told Griffith, "Every person I speak to in Trinidad tells me, when I ask them 'Where do the drugs and guns come from?', they tell me that the ports, the customs authorities, the coast guard and the police, are 100% involved in the trafficking of drugs and guns." 

Rhodes asked, "Why are you not focusing on that?"

Griffith stated, "Every single country in the world will have corrupt police officers, they'll have corrupt persons in the judiciary, would have corrupt politicians...We needed a state of emergency to stop law-abiding citizens in this country from being killed."

The Judiciary issued a statement Sunday calling Griffith's statement "reckless".

It noted that although the remark was made in a general context, "one can reasonably conclude that Mr. Griffith believed the Judiciary to be among the establishments that are corrupt and linked to the importation of guns and drugs into this country."

It asked if Griffith has evidence on persons within its ranks that would enable him to "so confidently and poignantly" link them to the importation of drugs and guns.

The Judiciary stated that it has handled cases "expeditiously and in accordance with the law" and that it also helped in setting up a tribunal to review cases of persons detained under the state of emergency regulations.

It added that it would remain "rigorous in its role as the guardian of the rights of citizens, whether under a state of emergency or not". It said the Judiciary would not tolerate contempt.