13 Defence Force officers replaced at PM’s residence

UNC Chairman Wade Mark insisted yesterday that an argument between a handyman and an Able-Bodied Seaman from the Coast Guard resulted in the entire military staff employed at the household of the Prime Minister’s residence being removed. Mark revealed that the staff was replaced by other members of the Defence Force.

Yesterday, Captain Cheryl Richardson of the Defence Force confirmed that a work-related altercation took place at the Prime Minister’s residence. She added that this occured following the removal of some utensils from the kitchen. Captain Richardson was quick to point out that an agreement exists between the Prime Minister and Chief of Defence Staff that persons assigned for duty at the household will serve a maximum of two tours of duty, which is a maximum of six years. She claimed that the staff at the residence had already worked six years and more, and the agreement was put into effect where new officers were assigned to the house. Newsday was told that this rotation is routine after six years.

However, the UNC Chairman said yesterday that the 13 persons were removed as a result of the altercation. He said that a civilian involved in the altercation was not removed from the staff. He described the civilian employee as being a close friend of PM Manning. Mark said the removal of staff had impacted on the morale of the Defence Force since they see it as the Prime Minister having little faith in the loyalty and committment of the Defence Force. The UNC Chairman noted that when Basdeo Panday was appointed PM, he did not remove anyone at the household and he is calling for a full enquiry into the matter. He is also calling on Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee and Prime Minister Manning to give statements on the transfers.