Nizam Mohammed's appointment as chairman of the Police Service Commission has not been revoked and he has not resigned. He made that clear, after a 90-minute, face-to-face meeting with President George Maxwell Richards at his St Ann's office yesterday. Mohammed was summoned to President's House, after widespread controversy over his statement. That statement angered many citizens, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who told reporters Mohammed's remarks were "reckless and divisive" and was not representative of the position of the T&T Government. She said Mohammed's future as head of the PSC was to be determined by President Richards. Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley also met with the President to discuss Mohammed's statement. Rowley said based on the discussions, he was confident Mohammed's appointment would be revoked by the President.
But Mohammed has maintained his innocence, insisting that he had done nothing wrong. Yesterday, he emerged from the meeting with the President saying his appointment was not revoked. Reporters questioned Mohammed about the meeting, from behind a wire fence at President's House.
Reporter: Mr Mohammed, was your appointment revoked?
Mohammed: No.
Reporter: So you continue to work as chairman (of the Police Service Commission)?
Mohammed: Yes.
Reporter: What was the discussion about?
Mohammed: Well, we were discussing the issue that is at hand and the discussions are continuing.
Reporter: Did you come expecting that your appointment was going to be revoked?
Mohammed: No, I didn't come expecting that my appoint was going to be revoked. I did not do anything wrong.
Reporter: Did the President agree with you that you did nothing wrong?
Mohammed: Whether he agrees of not, he hasn't expressed an opinion on that.
Reporter: When will the discussions continue?
Mohammed: I don't know. I don't know. But that is about it. I am, not at liberty to discuss anything.
Reporter: How do you feel, Mr Mohammed?
Mohammed: How do I look?
Reporter: In light of all the controversy, would you have made your statement differently?
Mohammed: I would have to think about that...I haven't given it a thought.
Reporter: Is it a victory?
Mohammed: I can't say anything more.
Reporter: Are you going to work tomorrow"
Mohammed: As usual.
Reporter: Well, tomorrow is Saturday.
Mohammed: Yes, I have work to do.
Reporter: Do you have any plans to resign, Mr Mohammed?
Mohammed did not answer but entered his car and left.
But sources said yesterday that Mohammed was asked to tender his resignation by President Richards.
Sources also said that Mohammed was given time to consider the matter. The sources say that was the reason for the continuation of talks on the matter.
Up to late yesterday, no release on the meeting was issued from President's House.
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