Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London has called on Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters to apologise to the churches and church leaders in Tobago for saying "London wants to brand Tobago as a church." Peters made the statement to a reporter at a People's Partnership rally at the Mid Centre Mall, Chaguanas, on May 24 in response to a question about a second Carnival in Tobago in October.
This was after London told Peters at a meeting the assembly was not in support of the Carnival and also indicated to him the major sectors should be consulted and the views of churches in Tobago be taken into consideration when making the decision. London added: "I was very surprised and disappointed at the minister's statement. That to my mind is insulting to the assembly, the churches and church leaders.
"I would suggest to the minister, in the interest of good relations between Tobago and Trinidad and in the interest of good relations between his ministry and the churches and church leaders in Tobago, that he should make an appropriate apology," the Chief Secretary told reporters at the weekly post-Executive Council media briefing yesterday. London said the assembly came to that conclusion after receiving the report of a committee appointed to make recommendations on the event. He recalled that at the meeting Peters was strong in his belief the Carnival should take place and said he would be taking the THA's decision to Cabinet.