Opposition Senator Fitzgerald Hinds says he is not afraid of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar or anyone else. He said he stood by his statement and was not about to issue any apology to Persad-Bissessar. He said so in response to questions about a call by Persad-Bissessar on him to make an "unqualified and proper apology" to her or face legal action.
That is the latest in a sequel of events over the past few weeks involving Hinds and the PM over a matter filed before the Integrity Commission. Hinds had filed a complaint to the commission by letter, dated May 19, asking that it investigate two things:
• Whether the PM had breached the Integrity in Public Life Act by staying at the private home of businessman and friend Ralph Gopaul in Tunapuna for at least three months after assuming office; and
• the award of a $40 million transport contract to Gopaul and Company. The Integrity Commission, by letter dated July 25, told Persad-Bissessar the complaint filed against her was rejected.
One week later, Hinds said he was in receipt of a letter from the commission confirming that his claim against the PM was rejected and that his second matter-the NP probe-was taking place and he would be informed of the finding in due course. Hinds then accused the PM of not telling the complete truth about the matter.
Persad-Bissessar then dispatched a letter to the commission demanding clarification on whether she was being investigated in any matter before it. Within 24 hours the commission responded by letter, dated August 4, saying the PM was not being investigated in any matter before it. At the weekend the PM called on Hinds to issue the apology. Yesterday, Hinds said he was not in receipt of the PM's pre-action protocol letter. He said the PM chose to inform the media about it before sending it to him. "I have not had sight of the letter yet. It has now taken a legal direction and I would have to respond accordingly when I see the document," Hinds said yesterday. He said, however, he was prepared to "stand by nobility and my principles." He said he was "not fearful of the Prime Minister or anybody else for that matter." Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley is expected to return home from England today.