Resignation of a minister

It would have been better, of course, had Khan resigned immediately the allegations had been made, leaving the process to take its course. Khan’s resignation cannot be construed as an admission of guilt, and neither would Williams’ had he done so, but rather in keeping with the principles that should apply to those who hold public office. What should be noted is that Franklin Khan is the first Cabinet Minister of Trinidad and Tobago to resign voluntarily in the face of allegations of improper behaviour.

Khan’s assertion in a news release on Sunday that his resignation was "in keeping with the noblest traditions" of his party, the People’s National Movement avoids the fact that it has not been in the PNM tradition to resign even in the face of gravest allegation. Sadly it is also something that is foreign to our politicians generally, including the UNC.

Williams, who faced similar allegations of impropriety has declared that he saw no reason to resign and stood firmly behind his denial of the charges contained in an unsigned letter from one Dansam Dhansook which had been sent to Prime Minister Manning and which was read out in Parliament by Opposition MP, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Williams argued, additionally, that the matter was before the Integrity Commission, a fact which in itself should suggest stepping down until the issue was cleared up.

Despite Williams’ stated position the fact that the issue has been ventilated and continues to be ventilated in the public domain adds to the political correctness of Khan’s decision. The fundamental difference in the approach of Khan and Williams is that while Khan has indicated that his decision was prompted by recent events in the public domain having cast doubt "at least in the eyes of some members of the public," Williams has seen both his denial in Parliament and the issue being before the Integrity Commission as sufficient.

Both men have maintained their innocence of the bribery and corruption allegations levelled against them by PNM member of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, Dansam Dhansook, allegations which need to be dealt wtih one way or the other as clearly this will not go away.

The allegations are a serious embarrassment to the PNM administration. Prime Minister Manning may follow through Khan’s resignation from his position as Minister of Works and Transport with a major Cabinet reshuffle. Possible portfolios which may be involved should a Cabinet reshuffle take place may include those of National Security, Works and Transport and Energy.

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s assertion that Khan should have sent his letter of resignation to the President and not the Prime Minister since, as she claimed, that was the legal procedure, comes across, however unintentionally, as a tacit rebuke of the political leader of her party, Basdeo Panday. Panday and other members of the then National Alliance for Reconstruction Government of Arthur NR Robinson had tendered their resignations from the Cabinet in 1987, in a situation entirely different to that of Khan’s, not voluntarily, but on the directions of Robinson.