Despite political parties having twice signed the Code of Ethical Political Conduct, their war of words has been marked by dirty political games in the lead-up to the 2015 general election. The code, which sets out to regulate the behaviour of political parties, was signed last September and again on Wednesday but has done little to stem the venom. As the mudslinging reached a new level, one MP is forced to defend himself in the face of accusations that, if proven, could lead to criminal charges. While another is promising to resign if allegations against him are found to be true.
Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner found himself on the defensive after a video recording was produced by the People’s National Movement in which Roselyn Alleyne, mother of Dr Keith Rowley’s son Garth Alleyne, stated that she was offered money to say Rowley raped her years ago. In the video, though certain names were edited out, Warner could hear what sounded like his name being called as the alleged financier willing to pay Alleyne for her testimony against Rowley. Warner immediately distanced himself from the allegation.
Warner: It wasn’t me
Warner said he did not make any financial offer to Alleyne. Warner could hear what sounded like his name being featured in the video recording of Alleyne refuting allegations that she was raped by Rowley some 46 years ago. The video was released by the PNM Women’s League to defend Rowley against allegations made by Minister in the Ministry of the People and Social Development, Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, during a motion of censure debate brought against Rowley last Wednesday.
Though Alleyne-Toppin has since offered a qualified apology, the PNM continues to call for her resignation. In the video recording, Alleyne (Roselyn) claimed a “very close relative” and Alleyne-Toppin visited her family offering money for her to sign an affidavit in which it was claimed that she was attacked by Rowley and it resulted in the birth of his son. There was an attempt to edit out Warner’s name, but Alleyne (Roselyn) could be heard saying that she was told (what sounded like) Warner had money and was willing to pay.
This, Warner said, is “outrageous” and “dirty games” being played in the political arena. “Imagine this recording was in August 2014. I had already left that Government and not only had my own party but had already won the Chaguanas West seat with my own party. Why in God’s name would they be using my name?” Warner said. Warner said he also had an idea of who was the real “money man” behind the offer.
“Like Garth Alleyne said, this tells you a lot about the character of the people using my name in this,” Warner said. The Sunday Guardian understands that the people named in the seven-minute recording could face charges of criminal libel. One PNM insider confirmed that the party was “not letting this end here” and while they did not want to distract the country from the important national issues, the party was not prepared to let matters be swept under the rug.
Moonilal: Rowley’s accusations scandalous, irresponsible
Meanwhile, another MP facing allegations on the campaign platform, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, is seeking to eradicate all speculation that he is linked to the construction and ownership of a mall in the Netherlands. In a text interview with the Sunday Guardian on Thursday, Moonilal was so confident of having no connection to the mall that he promised to “resign from all public offices” if Rowley could prove a link.
Moonilal has come under fire after it was alleged that he constructed and owned a mall in the Netherlands. “I am willing to resign from all public offices if Rowley can find five per cent truth in such scandalous and irresponsible accusations,” Moonilal said. He said the long-running rumour was started by Independent Liberal Party chairman Jack Warner and he challenged both Warner and the PNM to make the accusations in public. “They take basket from Jack and can never say that in public,” Moonilal said.
“This proves my case that Rowley is unfit for high office by making such allegations without not even fabricated evidence. How can we trust a man who accuses people without even the lies to back it up?” he said. Moonilal also said he could not possibly afford a mall since he was trying to purchase an executive townhouse in Woodbrook and could not afford that.
Analyst: It could get better if they adhere to Code of conduct
One political analyst, Bishnu Ragoonath, said yesterday the political landscape could improve if the politicians adhered to the Code of Ethical Conduct. After the sequence of events following Alleyne-Toppin’s debate contribution last Wednesday, including her qualified apology and the video recording of Rowley’s son and the son’s mother, Ragoonath said things might become more “restrained.”
“If they adhere to the Code of Ethics they have to restrain themselves and their party members,” Ragoonath said. Ragoonath said in his opinion, Alleyne-Toppin’s apology was “insufficient” considering the allegations she made against Rowley. “But whether genuine or not an apology came in a short time after the statement,” he said. Ragoonath does not think this latest political battle would have an impact on the general election, but only because the actual election is some months away. “I’m sure other issues are coming and in the final weeks this may be forgotten,” he said.