PNM, trade unions, groups demand: Remove AG, Warner now

Some 17 organisations, including the People’s National Movement, the Movement for Social Justice, the Joint Consultative Council and other civil organisations last night demanded the immediate removal of National Security Minister Jack Warner and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan from the Cabinet. That was among the major recommendations contained in the declaration issued by the group after a three-and-a-half hour meeting at Hotel Normandie, St Ann’s.

The issue of the proclamation of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011 and the subsequent attacks on media workers in T&T were among the major discussion points at the meeting. Ossie Warrick, secretary of the Joint Trade Union Movement told reporters there was a need for the People’s Partnership Government, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to explain the entire Section 34 fiasco.

The call was made hours after acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith issued a statement saying citizens had a right to be concerned about the development. Warrick said Warner’s attack on President George Maxwell Richards, Dean Sampson, of the Anglican Church, and Asha Javeed, a journalist, “was an attack on the head of State, the clergy and freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Warrick said the groups remained “committed to further action to ensure the these demands are met.” He said the meeting wanted fundamental change to the system of governance and the need for constitutional reform.  Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley led the People’s National Movement team, which included the party’s vice-chairman Camille Robinson-Regis,  PNM whip Marlene McDonald and PNM PRO Senator Faris Al-Rawi. Some 41 people attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Rowley was the recipient of a death threat yesterday. Sources revealed this, saying it appeared to be a matter of serious concern. Sources said Rowley was told of the threat earlier yesterday. Sources say he reported the matter to the police. Rowley, however, did not comment on the matter last night.

The PNM leader had been in the forefront of criticisms of the Government in the past several months. He told a party meeting in Five Rivers on Wednesday it was time for someone to stand up against the Government in the interest of the nation and put citizens of T&T first.