Government MPs stand by Jack

Khan told Newsday that while it was a personal letter written by him as MP, he is also entitled to speak as the party’s vice-chairman. He admitted that the UNC has not yet discussed the issue as a party. “When Jack Warner is out of the country, I’m the de facto chairman,” he said, “And I’m in sync with the Prime Minister’s (Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s) statement.” In the statement, Khan said Warner has made an invaluable contribution to the party and country. “We are prepared to stand with him in these difficult times,” said Khan. He said Warner is innocent until proven otherwise. “Until the outcome of the FIFA inquiry, there is no justifiable reason for Mr Warner to demit office as Minister of Works and Transport...to do so would send the signal that we are convicting Mr Warner without evidence and on a matter that is not related to Government business.”

He called on all UNC members to rally in support of Warner.

“We must resist rumour-mongering, hearsay and any other vilification that may lead to the conviction of an innocent man,” said Khan.

Several Government MPs also yesterday said they endorsed the Prime Minister’s position on the issue, which she declared in a statement on Sunday. The Prime Minister had said she stood by Warner, and waited to be briefed by him on his return to Trinidad from Zurich, Switzerland where he appeared before the FIFA Ethics Committee which suspended him as FIFA vice-president.

“The Prime Minister has spoken. We stand by her statements. There is no need for an emergency shelter,” said Oropouche West MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said yesterday during Indian Arrival Day celebrations in Debe.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan agreed with Moonilal.

“On his (Warner’s) return we will have discussions with him. Moonilal has just commented on the issue and we all share that same view. There is no need for emergency shelter, Jack has a house. The Prime Minister gave a comment yesterday,” Ramlogan said as Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma and Oropouche East MP Stacy Roopnarine nodded their heads in agreement.

They all attended the Debe celebrations.

Justice Minister Herbert Volney also said yesterday, at an Indian Arrival Day function, UWI, St Augustine, that he stood by the Prime Minister’s statement.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister declined to make any further comment on the issue saying should not take any more questions before speaking to Warner.