Panday: No conditions for crime talks

Speaking with journalists during a function held by the Opposition at the Kapok Hotel in St Ann’s on Tuesday night, Panday was stunned to learn about the Prime Minister’s claim which was made one hour earlier during the 2006 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce dinner at the Hilton Trinidad.

"Why should he feel that? I met him on the last occasion and we agreed to continue the discussion. We were supposed to meet on Friday but my secretary called me and said he had postponed the meeting to Monday. I don’t know what he is talking about," Panday said.

Panday said the UNC will not use claims made by Vernon Paul about a plot to frame Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh and UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh to scuttle crime talks with the Government because the consequences of that action could be detrimental for the nation.

"I propose to continue these discussions with an open mind as I did in the beginning. I have not changed. I will raise all the points that I think need to be raised," Panday declared.

Asked if the Opposition would press for an independent investigation into the alleged plot at next week’s crime talks, Panday was non-committal. "It is a discussion and many matters will emerge." Panday added that the alleged plot has convinced him that the Prime Minister’s veto power over the appointment of a Police Commissioner is a bad thing.