Independent Liberal Party leader Jack Warner is undecided on whether he will give evidence to the Integrity Commission against Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, saying if he did it could cripple the Government.Warner said he had to meet with his attorneys to discuss what was the best move to make, as his information was damning and pertained to other ministers as well.In a media release on Wednesday, the Integrity Commission said it was probing Warner's allegation that a government minister had acquired six houses since becoming a minister, one of which was received from a contractor in exchange for a $36 million contract. Another claim was that the same minister received a house from a businessman in exchange for the minister renting some properties for his ministry.The allegations were raised by Warner during the Chaguanas West by-election campaign on July 23, but he did not name the minister.
However, Ramadharsingh responded the following day by denying the allegations, saying he only had one house. He subsequently filed a pre-action protocol letter against Warner.In an interview at the Debe High School on Wednesday night, however, Warner said his evidence was factual."I received a letter from the Integrity Commission asking me to come to them, next week some time, to give them the evidence I have," he said."I have to discuss with my lawyers whether I should do that because the evidence I have is damning indeed and I don't want to cause the demise of any government."The evidence I have is not only on Ramadharsingh, but other government ministers as well. I got these things after I left Government and the Cabinet because people understood what I stood for and what I meant."Therefore, I'm saying before I go to the commission or answer them I must check with my legal people to see what is the best move to make because the evidence I have is damning."
Speaking to reporters in Sea Lot on Wednesday, Ramadharsingh said he would co-operate fully with the Integrity probe, adding he would also go "full steam ahead" with his defamatory suit against Warner.Warner's reply to this was: "I don't mind legal action. Please! I wish that could begin tomorrow."Warner also advised political nemesis, Local Government and Works Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, to create pre-action protocol letters in advance.Rambachan, who has other legal suits against Warner, is again contemplating suing his former government colleague over comments the latter made on Saturday over land deals relating to the Point Fortin Highway project.Warner said: "I am saying to you, whatever I say about Rambachan is fact. I am saying to you that I am ready. All he has to do week after week is give me those letters."