Minutes after he was fired, former Minister of National Security Gary Griffith said he had passed information to the police about another investigation involving his former Cabinet colleagues.
Griffith, however, denied he was asked to resign by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as she had stated in her address to the nation, instead saying he was fired for speaking the truth although he was never implicated in the Section 34 fiasco involving former attorney general Anand Ramlogan.
“I was fired, I did not resign. There is a difference,” Griffith said when asked if he had offered his resignation to the Prime Minister.
Asked if he was disappointed that he was unable to fulfill his plans in the fight against crime, Griffith said, “No, it is the Prime Minister’s right to do what she did. I will continue to stand for principle.”
Saying his firing was a “red herring,” Griffith reiterated that he was never part of any investigation over the Section 34 issue.
“The Prime Minister said it was because of my involvement in an investigation. There is no cloud hanging over my head.
“What I am is a credible witness that can assist the police in the investigation. I was not a person of interest, a suspect, nor was I ever implicated in any of this,” Griffith said.
Saying the incident was rather unfortunate, Griffith confirmed attempts were made by his former Cabinet colleagues to sway him after he made a statement corroborating those made by Police Complaints Authority Director David West. That matter is now before the police.
“Because of my military training I will not tell what you want to hear, I will tell you what you need to know. I spoke the truth and I do not intend to shift my principles. I have no regrets,” Griffith said.
Griffith said he knew the repercussions of speaking the truth but chose to stand for principle, saying people should not sell themselves for personal gain.
“I’m a soldier before a politician, I will always be a soldier. I am proud of what I have done. The politicians have to start operating in the same manner.”