London answers Warner’s allegations: Bring the evidence and I will resign

Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London is prepared to resign if National Security minister Jack Warner provides evidence that he is the owner of a gas station and several houses. London is also calling on the National Petroleum Marketing Company to clear the air on the issue.

However, Warner says he has nothing more to say. When contacted yesterday, he said, “I have nothing more to add. I have said what I had to say on Thursday.” At a Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) meeting on Thursday at Cyd Grey Stadium carpark in Roxborough, Warner told the crowd that London owned about seven properties which were rented in Tobago, and he had photographs of them.

Warner also claimed London had shares in a gas station. In a telephone interview yesterday, London said he would deal with the matter at today’s presentation of People’s National Movement candidates at Market Square in Roxborough. “I will deal with the ole talk and all the issues raised on the platform,” he said.

“Tobago must be told about the baseless allegations and be able to make an evaluation with respect to acceptability of individuals who are prepared to tell outrageous lies in public, and the acceptability of those who are willing to associate with them.” London said if Warner had information to support his case then he would resign as Chief Secretary and withdraw from the election.

“I also challenge him that if he cannot provide the evidence that his allegations are true and that he has in fact deliberately lied to the public of Tobago, and in the most cynical manner slandered another public official, then he should resign,” London said. He said there was excitement among the supporters and the public and expected an impressive turnout.

Among some of the speakers expected to address the meeting which starts at 3 pm are London, PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley and candidate for Black Rock, Whim/Spring Garden Claudia Groom-Duke. Speaking about some of the allegations and attacks by the People’s Partnership, London said his team was not about character assassination and mud-slinging.

“We are going to be focusing on informing Tobagonians with a type of information to enable them to make the wisest choice on election day. “We aren’t about character assassination and so on. We will focus on issues that are critical to this election,” he said. TOP Political Leader Ashworth Jack also criticised London at Thursday’s meeting. He claimed only one ambulance was serving the Tobago population and criticised London for neglecting healthcare for the last 12 years.

In response, London said new ambulances were purchased “not too long ago.” He said if there were any maintenance problems he wouldn’t know since that was a matter for the Tobago Regional Health Authority. “But they have been telling so many lies that I have to take what they say with a bag of salt,” London said.