No Special Branch transfers

As a result of this, McDonald was fired three days later from the Cabinet by Dr Rowley who has assumed the role of Public Utilities Minister in addition to his normal prime ministerial duties.

Sources revealed that while the officers have been asked to submit individual reports to both President Carmona and seniors within Special Branch, no decision has been taken to remove any officer from duty at President’s House. A report has also been requested from Aide de Camp Major Duane Edwards.

The internal enquiry at President’s House began on Saturday and was ongoing up until yesterday.

Sources said President Carmona has expressed concern over the ability of a member of the public gaining access to President’s House as easily as Cedric ‘Burkie’ Burke did last week Friday.

Former Minister of National Security Gary Griffith yesterday said he was of the firm view that at no time was the President’s life at risk because all guests are scanned when they enter the waiting room before they are allowed into the precincts of the house. “I believe, as a former Aide-de-Camp, there was no negligence of security at the President’s House,” Griffith said.

There may have been a security breach, he added, but this is based on a government official being irresponsible in allowing guests into the President’s House.

“Unfortunately this has been a pattern for the past 15 years where police and army officials have seen government officials in meeting and knocking glasses with questionable elements.

The job of the Special Branch is to secure the President and that was done,” Griffith said.

Griffith reiterated that Special Branch had no authority to stop Burke from entering the compound last Friday because he noted that the responsibility lies on the government official not to compromise security at the function.

Hence the reason why Griffith said he agrees with Rowley’s decision to remove Mc- Donald as a Minister.