Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has signalled her intention to file a motion of no confidence against Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley and to have him investigated by the Integrity Commission.
Addressing supporters at the Brazil High School tonight, Persad-Bissessar read out the tenets of the Integrity in Public Life Act (ILPA), and said that Rowley was in deliberate breach of the Section 29 in the matter involving former attorney general Anand Ramlogan and Police Complaints Authority director David West.
She claimed there was a conflict of interest arising out of the matter, since Rowley should have reported to either her or President Anthony Carmona that West was his witness in a defamation lawsuit filed against the Opposition leader by Ramlogan.
Ramlogan resigned on February 3 in the face of a criminal investigation based on a complaint made by West.
West claimed that Ramlogan attempted to influence him to withdraw his witness statement in support of Rowley's defence in the civil lawsuit relating to the Section 34 scandal in exchange for the PCA post.
"As Leader of the Opposition, where we had to make a recommendation for the director of the PCA, if he knew or reasonably ought to have known, directly or indirectly, he was furthering his private interest," Persad-Bissessar told her supporters.
His apparent breach, according to Persad-Bissessar, stems from his admission in Parliament that he did not see any conflict of interest in supporting West's nomination to the PCA.
She said Rowley should have "disqualified himself from the decision making process."
"Someone is coming to be your witness to help you win your court case and you do not see a conflict of interest for a position that should be independent and without political interference?" she said.
Persad-Bissessar said she intended to speak with the coalition's Leader of Government Business, Dr Roodal Moonilal, to bring the no-confidence motion against Rowley over his "failure and refusal to disclose the fact that Mr West was a potential witness for him in support of his defence in a pending defamation lawsuit brought by the former AG."
She did not say when she intended to do this.
Integrity body probe
The PM said she also advised her lawyers to determine whether Rowley's silence on West's involvement violated the integrity legislation "so as to justify an investigation by the Integrity Commission."
Saying Rowley had questions to answer, she asked,"When did Dr Rowley know that West was going to be or was his witness? Would he in any way have discussed this matter with Mr West? Did he strike a deal with Mr West whereby he, Dr Rowley, would support the candidacy in exchange for Mr West giving evidence in his support?"
She also questioned whether Rowley put his self-interest before the public's interest by "deliberately" concealing the fact that West was his witness in his defamation matter.
Persad-Bissessar asked her supporters to consider what would have been Rowley's reaction if the situations were reversed and West was a witness for her in a similar matter.
"Could you imagine the uproar should the shoe be on the other foot?" she asked.
This was the second Monday Night Forum as the party launched its campaign for 2015 general elections.
Persad-Bissessar teased the crowd with the possible announcement of the election date, asking whether they wanted her to name the date tonight.
She told the gathering that they would have to wait a little longer for the actual announcement of the date of the election, as the People’s Partnership had a lot of ground work still to do.
Section 29 of the Integrity in Public Life Act
1. For the purposes of this Act, a conflict of interest is deemed to arise if a person in public life or any person exercising a public function were to make or participate in the making of a decision in the execution of his office and at the same time knows or ought reasonably to have known, that in the making of the decision, there is an opportunity either directly or indirectly to further his private interests or that of a member of his family or of any other person.
2. Where there is a possible or perceived conflict of interest, a person to whom this Part applies, shall disclose his interest in accordance with prescribed procedures and disqualify himself from any decision-making process