Several Government ministers yesterday sympathised with rape victims but maintained there were still important questions regarding People’s National Movement leader Dr Keith Rowley that have to be answered. Ministers Larry Howai, Errol Mcleod and Jairam Seemungal voiced those sentiments during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference, as they responded to an avalanche of criticism levelled against MP Vernella Alleyne-Toppin’s controversial statements on Rowley.
During Wednesday’s no-confidence motion by Government against Rowley, Alleyne-Toppin told the story of a young Tobago girl who was raped, adding the product of that now aspired to “lofty office.” Noting his aspiration to be prime minister, she raised questions about Rowley’s past which she believed would factor into his makeup of today and, therefore his potential as T&T’s prime minister of tomorrow. She also pleaded on behalf of victims of abuse not to allow such atrocities to occur and for T&T men to “man up” on their responsibilities.
Alleyne-Toppin’s probing into Rowley’s past and various related statements elicited outrage by the Opposition PNM, which leaped to Rowley’s defence, as well as certain other groups. PNM’s Tobago Council yesterday condemned the statements as “scandalous and obscene,” saying it was “one of the most despicable presentations made by any representative in the Parliament. The council called on the Prime Minister to state her position on the issue and to take appropriate action.
“Vernella Alleyne-Toppin sunk to the lowest depths by casting aspersions on the long dead mother of the Opposition Leader. It’s mind-boggling that Alleyne-Toppin, as a former teacher, mother and grandmother, could have degraded herself, her family and her Tobago heritage in this unseemly manner.” PNM’s Arima branch demanded Alleyne-Toppin’s immediate resignation and for general election, saying her remarks were an “unwarranted attack” without evidence and meant to scandalise Rowley’s dead mother and father in a political debate.
The unit said she read from a prepared script and was allowed to display “visual aids,” indicating it was “a part of a carefully hatched ongoing, conspiracy to demonise Rowley.” Alleyne-Toppin apologised yesterday to anyone who might be offended by her statements but stood her ground on questions about Rowley she said needed to be answered.
“Anyone who seeks to hold the top office of prime minister must not have such questions that are unanswered, as it questions the depth of character and the emotional intelligence that will influence this person’s decisions that will impact on 1.3 million people,” she said then. Yesterday, several prominent members of the Tobago community, taking issue with the fact that her remarks were made in the Parliament, said Tobagonians were furious at her statements.
Former public service head and diplomat Reginald Dumas said Alleyne-Toppin had abused Parliament. “I found Vernella Alleyne-Toppin’s remarks disgusting. Parliament isn’t the place for this. It lowers the standard. But the whole atmosphere is complicated by these personal attacks from both sides, where the population really wants to hear issues but T&T’s politics is being scandalised by both sides. Both Government and Opposition are disgracing T&T in the way they’re going about business.”
Of the motion itself and the PNM walkout, he said: “The reason for the motion targeted Rowley, since this is UNC’s policy and David West is connected to Rowley. But I don’t think the Parliament should be used for this sort of motion as it has no constitutional effect. “Government would win and he still remains Opposition Leader unless his PNM ranks desert him and there was no evidence of that. So what was the point, save to target him. Therefore walking out was an excellent Opposition strategy, leaving Government there.”
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Communications Minister Vasant Bharath said on TV6 that he assumed Alleyne-Toppin’s remarks were based on personal information or personal knowledge she had and that she can prove the allegations. He said she may “very well say it outside of Parliament.” Bharath also said her remarks may have been discussed by Government prior to delivery. Bharath also said the Opposition PNM’s walkout on the motion was an “incredulous act of cowardice” where the PNM failed to account for allegations being made and could instead only stage a walkout.
During yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference, Finance Minister Larry Howai, in reply to questions on his personal position on the issue, said he did not hear what she said but had heard of the matter and was “a bit concerned” about a part of it. He said if that was so, he had sympathy for persons in that situation (rape) but he also said other parts of her statement dealt with questions on behaviour that needed to be answered and those required replies separately.
Labour Minister Errol McLeod said he sympathised with rape victims and all victims of injustice but added he did say he supported some of the views expressed by his colleague in so far as very important questions on the issue need to be answered. He said it was quite unfortunate that rape victims felt badly as they do, since it was akin to repeating the hurt where it may have occurred. He said he didn’t think that was the intention behind Alleyne-Toppin’s statements but had expressed support for the responses to the important questions her statement raised.
Lands and Marine Resources Minister Jairam Seemungal also said he empathised with all rape and abuse victims and victims of other crimes.