Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of having double standards in the handling of the David West witness-tampering controversy. He was speaking at a political meeting in Marabella on Tuesday night, hours after he walked on the crime-riddled Marabella Trainline seeking votes. During the walk, Rowley said he met families affected by incest and poverty.
Addressing hundreds of supporters, Rowley questioned why Persad-Bissessar fired former national security minister Gary Griffith but not Communication Minister Vasant Bharath, who were both embroiled in the controversy. He also denied having a personal or professional relationship with West. He said: “Prime Minister, I had no idea who my witnesses were. I left it to my lawyer Faris Al-Rawi. I had no idea that he had sourced a staff member of the AG’s office who could give personal information on how Ish and Steve escaped extradition.
“I never spoke to West except to say hello to him at social functions.” While the crowd cheered, Rowley added: “We have no relationship, either social or professional, so Prime Minister you are barking up the wrong tree.” Saying Persad-Bissessar’s justification for firing Griffith was that he was embroiled in the West matter, Rowley asked:
“Isn’t Vasant embroiled in it too. Isn’t the PM embroiled in it? The PM had the constitutional duty to appoint David West. If the situation is that you will get fired if you are embroiled in this matter then I ask who is going to fire the Prime Minister?” A member of the audience shouted: “We will fire her the day she calls election date.”
Rowley also made fun of the controversy surrounding his infamous wine with teenager Ravina Rampersad on Carnival Tuesday, saying: “You saw me for Carnival in San Fernando? They tell me I should have kicked away the lady when she come and wine back on me... ah not doing that!” The crowd laughed and clapped. Rowley added: “I like women, yes, that’s why I married a lovely one and produced two more.” He said the Government was trying to stop him from educating the public about Government’s wrong doing and pilfering of State assets.
Rowley also said he would mount massive protests to protect the pilfering of State lands in Chaguaramas, noting that the Chaguaramas Convention Centre and hotel was being disposed of by a corrupt government. “A property worth over $100 million is being leased. I also asked if any lands are being disposed of to a candidate of COP. Seventy-five acres of prime land is given away,” Rowley said. He added that the next big march would take place in Chaguaramas.
“We are not willing to accept the thievery and pillage,” Rowley said, adding it was time to fire the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar because she had failed to address social needs.