Hart: I will not resign

JUNIOR COMMUNITY Development and Culture Minister, Eddie Hart, dismissed calls from the Opposition UNC to resign from the Government and Parliament in the wake of a court ruling that went against him. During the October 2002 election campaign, Hart (the successful PNM Tunapuna candidate) was charged with assaulting then Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar at the Elections and Boundaries Commission office in Tunapuna. Hart pleaded not guilty to the charge. The magistraste in the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court yesterday ruled in favour of now Deputy Chaguanas Mayor Nagessar. Hart was reprimanded and discharged.

Speaking at a news conference in Chaguanas, Opposition MP Manohar Ramsaran described the victory as a “red letter day” for both Nagessar and the UNC. Nagessar said he felt vindicated by the court’s decision and called on Hart to “do the honourable thing and resign.” He added that yesterday’s events proved that what Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has been saying about the PNM and persons associated with the ruling party is correct.

Nagessar also said he has instructed his attorneys to write a letter to Hart requesting a suitable apology and financial compensation. He added that legal action will be taken against Hart if he fails to respond with 14 days of receiving the letter. However, the Tunapuna MP told Newsday that his attorneys will deal with any correspondence from Nagessar. Hart said his main priorities were his duties as a Government minister and parliamentarian, and he was determined to undertake both with renewed vigor.