PM accepts Sharma's resignation

Following is the full text of the anouncement by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of the resignation of former Tourism Minister and Cabinet member Chandresh Sharma. Yesterday Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) and Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar yesterday called on his Cabinet colleague Tourism Minister Chandresh Sharma to resign. If Sharma does not resign Ramadhar said, then Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar should fire him pending completion of police investigations into allegations of assault on his former girlfriend Sacha Singh, the managing director of AMS Biotech Security Concept and AMSure T&t Ltd.

I have advised the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Anthony Carmona, of the decision to revoke the appointment of the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Chandresh Sharma.

This advice follows my decision to accept the resignation earlier submitted by Minister Sharma.

There has been some discussion on the number of times changes have been made in my Cabinet. I say that is a measurement of my commitment to maintaining the high ideals upon which we were elected.

I am not swayed by any other consideration other than that which is right and honourable. Each member of my administration must be mindful that we are held to different, higher standards than ever before, even by those who are our most bitter critics.

There is no privileged escape, no allowance for arrogance, no forgiveness for indiscretion. Those days are gone, such compromise has expired. The responsible leadership which we promised to usher in a dawn of a new era is the new political currency.

My leadership isn’t formed in the mould of loud and angry politicians who feel that shouting and attacking everything is the best way to be heard. But my decisions and policies speak even louder of who I am and what I expect of those around me in government. 

The government is stronger than ever because of the tough decisions taken and the population can breathe easier today, confident in the knowledge that value based leadership will never be compromised. 

I take this opportunity to recognize Minister Sharma's contributions and service to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago.