A senior Fire Services officer alleged to be in the middle of a sex scandal with a former colleague yesterday was allowed to go on 160 days leave pending an investigation.
Sources said the officer was called to a meeting at the Ministry of National Security, Port-of-Spain, after arriving at work yesterday, even as media reports of the issue were being discussed on the airwaves and social media, where the photos first surfaced.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development Clifton De Coteau, who is standing in for National Security Minister Carl Alfonso, who is in Japan, confirmed the meeting occurred. He said, however, the fire officer met with permanent secretary Jenifer Daniel.
In a text message, De Coteau said the officer applied for 160 days leave to “allow for investigation of the allegations.”
Contacted by phone yesterday, Alfonso said he had not seen the photos.
“I did not see it and if it is true I have no evidence and it has not been reported. I imagine Minister De Coteau, who is holding on, would tell me.
“I am sure the chief would have reported it and would report it to the minister,” he added.
Alfonso said the investigation would have to take its course but he would look into it when he returned in two days.
A subsequent media release from the ministry said following the electronic images which surfaced and were currently circulating in the public domain, the official in question had proceeded on vacation leave with immediate effect pending the relevant investigations.
“The Ministry of National Security wishes to assure fire officers and the public that service to the nation will not be impeded in light of this development,” the release said.
Service embarrassed
Fire officers at headquarters, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, said yesterday the station and, by extension, the service, was abuzz with the news, adding they were all ashamed of the incident.
Senior fire officers refused to comment on the matter.
Also contacted yesterday, president of the Fire Services Association Leo Ramkissoon said there had been no communications from seniors officers on the issue.
He added: “We have heard nothing concerning these allegations and the silence is deafening from Fire Services public relations and the membership would like to know what is their position on the whole situation on this alleged scandal.
“We want an official information from the Fire Services concerning the officer and what is transpiring and what is the way forward with all the issues.”
Attempts to contact the alleged victim, who spoke to the T&T Guardian on Monday, were unsuccessful yesterday as all calls to her phone went unanswered.
However, during Monday’s interview she said she now feared for her safety as she had been receiving threatening calls in recent weeks.