In what would be seen as a cheap political gimmick, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday hailed a former arson accused and step-relative of Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton for joining the party.
Speaking at Babu Jaan, Corentyne at the remembrance for former presidents, Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Jagdeo levelled various accusations against Norton and after espying former arson accused Keith Ferrier lauded him.
“I’m so pleased to see you here, Mr. Ferrier, who is related to Norton too, but he is here, and he has seen the light in the People’s Progressive Party, and he may be able to tell you a few more stories”, Jagdeo said
Ferrier when contacted by Stabroek News explained that Norton is his step-brother as his mother is married to Norton’s father.
Additionally, he said that he has since joined and given his full support to the PPP/C.
Ferrier had been accused of setting fire to the Ministry of Health building in 2009 but was acquitted in 2016 on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Jagdeo’s statement at the remembrance drew a sharp response from Norton who said that he should not be associated with alleged criminals. He declared that Ferrier was not his brother.
Norton in a statement issued on Sunday evening called on Jagdeo to not associate him or his family with the “alleged criminals” he (Jagdeo) has surrounded himself with.
He added that Ferrier and Jagdeo are “birds of a feather flocked together.”
Norton added that the PPP continues to engage “shady characters” that they can “control because those persons have allegations of them committing crimes made against them and they need the protection of the … PPP government.”
