Persad-Bissessar threatens to pursue PM’s claims on race and crime

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News Sean Douglas 15 minutes agoOpposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. –

OPPOSITION leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday threatened the Prime Minister and various media outlets with legal action over her remarks equating her with outspoken pundit Satyanand Maharaj and his colleague who blamed the recent thefts in Aranguez to the young urbanites of the East-West corridor.

Persad-Bissessar, in a strong statement on Monday, denied ever making such remarks, the day after Dr Rowley insinuated this while addressing a PNM family day in Toco on Sunday, when he warned against statements that could lead Trinidad and Tobago down a road. of no return.

She said, “I have never in my life accused one race of committing criminal attacks against another race in our country. Not recently, not now and never!

“If an apology and retraction are not forthcoming, I will take legal action against Keith Rowley for making these false defamatory statements and against all media outlets and journalists who published these statements.”

Persad-Bissessar dubbed Rowley “a desperate, dishonest man, whose game is over”.

She reiterated that she has never in her life accused one race of committing criminal attacks against another race in TT.

“Keith Rowley must be aware that racial tensions can be instigated by falsely accusing me of making this divisive statement. It’s very irresponsible. It’s a dangerous and downright vicious policy.

“It is also defamatory to my character and runs counter to my many years in politics, where I have always celebrated our national unity and harmonious diversity.” She said that the people were not fooled but were watching him.

“I want Keith Rowley to know that the lie he told about me yesterday will not stand up in court or in the court of public opinion.

“I call on Keith Rowley to do what is right and responsible and to apologize. He needs to set the record straight and admit that what was said was wrong and malicious.”

Persad-Bissessar was extremely concerned that the media carried her words without first seeking her response.

“Did these media houses know this statement by Keith Rowley was false but did they persist in putting it out there?”

She said Rowley’s remarks about her were flatly contradicted by her previous April 27 statement.

Persad-Bissessar quoted herself: “Crime does not discriminate. Victims and perpetrators of crime come from all political affiliations, ethnicities, religions, social status and income levels. Regardless of which sector of society we identify with, we must have the humility to accept this fact, put emotions aside and work together for all of our fellow citizens.”

She said media houses that call for higher standards in public life must be more accountable in their reporting.

“I therefore call on the media who re-enacted and broadcast Rowley’s false statement attributed to me to similarly apologize and correct the grave harm that has been done to my character and reputation.

“If an apology and retraction are not issued, I will take legal action against Keith Rowley for making these false statements and against all media outlets and journalists who published these statements.”

Persad-Bissessar urged everyone not to let government desperation fuel political strife and hatred, distract from crime, corruption, laziness and incompetence.

“Meanwhile, our sons and daughters of TT are crying out for justice, jobs and the opportunity to live and work in a functioning democracy.”

Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally defended Persad-Bissessar during a UNC briefing at the opposition leader’s office in Port of Spain on Monday.

He considered Rowley’s words cowardly and obscene.

Rambally said: “She has never done it in her life and currently does not engage in any racial overtones.” Persad-Bissessar had led TT’s most inclusive cabinet, Rambally said, and as prime minister she had invited Rowley to travel to South Africa with her for Nelson Mandela’s funeral.

Pointing to Persad-Bissessar’s April 27 statement, Rambally said without giving importance to Aranguez’s two experts, she had distanced herself and the opposition from those statements.

Rambally said the pundit recently congratulated the prime minister on his recent senatorial appointments, but Rowley did not tell his Toco audience that, or name Maharaj.

“Dr Rowley must withdraw his statement and apologize.

“It’s Dr Rowley who is going down the road of divisive racing tactics.

“A legal team is already being assembled. We have lawyers who are volunteering to represent the Leader of the Opposition in a civil libel suit against Dr Rowley, if he does not apologise. People are so disgusted by his offensive statements.”

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