(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday categorically denied influencing the Integrity Commission in its decision to terminate its Emailgate probe.
She also said she can swear by the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu holy text) that Emailgate is false.
Persad-Bissessar spoke to the Sunday Express in an exclusive interview, at her private Phillipine residence yesterday.
The Prime Minister, who fell ill on Thursday as her blood sugar level was high, has been resting at home.
The Sunday Express had requested an interview marking five years in office with the Prime Minister earlier this month and she obliged yesterday, joking: “I am physically resting but my brain is constantly working.”
Dealing first with the issue at hand-the controversy surrounding the Integrity Commission-Persad-Bissessar, when questioned, said neither she nor her Government members influenced the outcome of the commission’s decision to terminate its investigation into Emailgate.
On May 19, commission registrar Martin Farrell sent Israel Khan SC-the Prime Minister’s attorney- a letter, stating pursuant to Section 34 (6) of the act, the commission was “satisfied that there was no or insufficient grounds for continuing the investigation” into Emailgate “and accordingly, this investigation is hereby terminated”.
The Integrity Commission is chaired by former judge Zainool Hosein, with members former judge Sebastian Ventour (deputy chairman); ophthalmologist Dr Shelly-Anne Lalchan; Deonarine Jaggernauth, a petroleum and environmental engineer; and Pete London, an accountant.
Just one day after the letter was sent, Lalchan resigned, but a relative insists it has nothing to do with Emailgate.
On May 21, Ventour also resigned but publicly made it known the statement was “incorrect” and the investigations should not have been terminated.
Meanwhile, Hosein insists he has done nothing wrong and abided by the commission’s rules. There have been calls for the commission to be disbanded and claims there was political interference.
The Express understands President Anthony Carmona held separate meetings with commission members yesterday, including Ventour and Lalchan.
Asked directly whether she or any of her Government members interfered with the work of the commission, Persad-Bissessar said, “No, I did not interfere with the investigation of the Integrity Commission. Since assuming office, I made it my duty to stay away and respect the independence of such institutions. As for my ministers, you will have to ask them, but I doubt very much that any of them would have contact or try to influence the work of the commission.
“In fact, I can categorically assure that at no time has my Government ever attempt to interfere with the work of the Integrity Commission in this and all other matters.”
Asked whether she can swear on the Holy Scriptures that there is no truth to Emailgate-Persad-Bissessar said: “I can and do swear by Almighty God that there is no truth to the so-called Emailgate. Not only do I so swear on the Holy Scriptures, but I am also prepared so to do, if necessary, in any court of law constitutionally enshrined in our democracy.”
She again reminded it was she who immediately took the matter to the police for investigation.
“I was sure that they were false from the very outset. And today, the evidence from various local and other international independent organisations have clearly also determined that these e-mails were false,” she said.
The Prime Minister pointed out the evidence so far, locally and internationally, show the e-mails were fake.
Persad-Bissessar said she definitely will be at today’s anniversary celebrations, which take place at Constantine Park, Macoya, from 3 p.m.
She said her sister, who was a nurse, has been monitoring her blood sugar level, and she has been taking her medications while getting some physical rest. Persad-Bissessar looked rested and was all smiles as children, including her grandnephew and grandson played around her.
There will be performances by Jamaican reggae artiste Romain Virgo, as well as Dil-e-Nadan, Rikki Jai and Jah Melody.
The People’s National Movement (PNM) will also hold today its Sport and Family Day at Nelson Mandela Park, St Clair, starting from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m., with Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley billed to speak at 3.30 p.m.
