House Speaker Wade Mark yesterday called for an investigation by the Privileges Committee involving an alleged threat made against a People's National Movement MP by an advisor to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The issue of the threat was raised by Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley during the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister at the House of Representatives.
It was during the contribution of Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald that Rowley rose on Standing Orders 37-5 to report a serious breach that took place within the House which needed urgent attention. "During today's proceeding my colleague for Laventille/East Morvant mentioned that on leaving the Chamber she was accosted." Mark promised to consider the issue raised by Rowley.
This was the second time the matter was drawn to Mark's attention. The first was by Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert who told the House that Cox was involved in an incident around 3.30 am during the break for the Indian delicacy, doubles. "The advisor to the Prime Minister threatened the MP for Laventille Morvant in this very Chamber tonight. And that is why it is difficult to have confidence in the Prime Minister."
Imbert said the advisor laid in wait for Cox. "This is just an example of the people the Prime Minister has around her, which is causing her to fall into disrepute." Imbert was interrupted by Leader of Government Business Dr Roodal Moonilal who stated that Imbert was relating stories that were not the subject of any report. Imbert refused to be silenced, stating that "I am not giving way."
Mark told Imbert that if he was referring to the matter that has been brought to his attention by Cox, he had asked the Marshall of Parliament to enquire into the matter. Cox, in an interview with the Sunday Guardian, said she was accosted by a man inside Parliament while she was in the presence of Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne. "Apparently, he didn't like what I said. In my contribution I mentioned that he (the advisor) talks a lot and the Prime Minister has to remember that he is an advisor and he is supposed to advise the Prime Minister and that he dips his mouth in everything."
Cox said she also spoke about the advisor confronting heads of departments and heads of protective services in the Ministry of National Security, which she insisted was wrong. Cox said she questioned why the advisor was seen driving a vehicle with an MP sticker. "I know he is not an MP. I think that hit him." When questioned outside the Chamber yesterday, the advisor denied that he threatened Cox.
"I could assure you that at no time at all that I threatened anyone. At no time was I involved in any confrontation. If it is that anyone made any perception that is totally false and misleading. I will deal with that matter personally." Questioned about Cox's contribution, PM's advisor Gary Griffith said that was her view.
"I have to respect that. With my 15 years of military training, I think I have the discipline to understand what I am supposed to do. And I think what I am doing is to the best of my ability." Griffith said Imbert was getting involved in matters that did not concern him.