MP for Port-of-Spain East Marlene McDonald has accused a former PNM politician of colluding with external forces in a bid to ruin her political career. McDonald, who has been gagged by her legal advisers, responded to two incidents that recently surfaced in the media, allegedly accusing her of misconduct. “Collusion and a witch-hunt, that is what this is,” McDonald said in an interview yesterday with the Sunday Guardian.
In a letter directed to party leader Dr Keith Rowley two weeks ago, a supporter claimed that McDonald was accused of misconduct during her time as minister of Community Development because a cheque was issued on May 12, 2010, to a company that was registered three months after that date.
The company, Calabar Foundation, lists three directors, Michael Carew, Lennox Carew and Victor McEachrane. Carew (Michael) has been described as McDonald’s common-law husband of 20 years and McEachrane as a friend from her university days. “I have never owned any foundation,” McDonald said.
McDonald’s name is also mentioned in a 2011 audit report into Lake Asphalt T&T (Latt). The audit report contains concerns about the review of contracts and conflicts of interest in that company, as a senior Latt official is alleged to have told a company in 2007 to make a contribution to a foundation McDonald had in order to get more Latt jobs. When asked if that was the same Calabar Foundation, McDonald repeated that she never owned any foundation.
“I was approached by a client at the time to form a company and used my name as secretary to incorporate the company. The year later, by 1999, my name was removed. What is this silly story even about?” she asked. She said she was not aware that Attorney General Anand Ramlogan had signalled his intention to investigate the Lake Asphalt matter.
“The AG is free to do whatever he wants. There is a lot more to look at in his own party and that is where he should be looking, but everyone will want to jump on the bandwagon now,” she said. “I have lived my entire life above board,” McDonald added.
We are satisfied with MARLENE—Rowley
Meanwhile, Rowley continued to support McDonald’s bid for re-election to the Port-of-Spain East seat next year. He said he was not surprised that the AG was planning to investigate the matter and he was leaving it up to McDonald to respond accordingly.
“If the response is inappropriate then we will act,” he said. Rowley said he was aware that some people “hated” that McDonald was re-selected for her constituency seat.
“But that is their point of view, we are satisfied that we have chosen a proper candidate and until we are convinced otherwise, she shall remain,” he said.