It’s election season—expect more to come.
That was Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s take on yesterday’s detentions of UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen and former People’s Partnership attorney general Anand Ramlogan.
Speaking to media during yesterday’s House of Representatives lunch break, she said, “I don’t know the details. I don’t condone wrongdoing from anyone and I subscribe to the rule of law—let justice take its course. But I’m not surprised. Given the fact we’re on the cusp of an election, I’m very suspicious of whatever’s happening in T&T. I serve warning, expect more of the same to come as we get into the heat of elections.”
At the time, Persad-Bissessar said she hadn’t had the opportunity to speak with Ramdeen or Ramlogan and didn’t know if they were being charged, questioned or interviewed.
On whether the UNC will stand behind both, she replied, “The party will stand for due process, innocent until proven guilty, and I stand behind human beings. That’s what I’ll say.”
She reiterated she didn’t condone wrongdoing but couldn’t be judge and jury in any matter.
At Tuesday’s Senate session, Ramdeen had been absent (due to illness, it was stated) and the Opposition had filled his place with attorney Brian Baig. Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar signalled that Ramdeen’s detention was no reason to replace him permanently.
“Another senator is currently still in the Senate despite being found guilty of an offence. I don’t think a sentencing has occurred but a guilty verdict was given on that. So it (Ramdeen’s issue) won’t be the first or the last (senator with a matter). Mr (Basdeo) Panday as an MP was placed on criminal charges. When he was found guilty, he could no longer serve in Parliament,” she added.
She said she’d learned Ramlogan was detained while en route to the airport since he was to depart to hear a judgment in the British Virgin Islands. Persad-Bissessar found it strange that up to 1.30 pm the police hadn’t issued a statement although it was important enough to warrant one.
Noting the Police Commissioner was overseas, she said any statement should have come from the acting CoP.
Persad-Bissessar noted that there had been allegations about Ramlogan during the PP government tenure and he had been removed. She also said she didn’t see the detentions as an indictment against her, though there were allegations against other PP members including Jack Warner. “My former leader always told me Jesus Christ had 12 disciples and at the end of the day, almost all betrayed him. I can’t vouch for guilt or innocence of any single human being, I can only speak for myself.”
Saying the People’s National Movement was also known historically for “distractions”—citing when Panday was charged and items found in UNC minister Sadiq Baksh’s water tank—she noted T&T’s in the grip of a water crisis, crime and other issues.
“...Also, PNM’s in desperation mode—panic. We had a tremendous Local Government campaign launch last Sunday and they’ll do anything they can in desperation. Like any wounded creature, they’ll attack.”
UNC MP Roodal Moonilal said he’d been in touch with Ramdeen’s attorneys but didn’t know what the issue was. However, he said it had come to his attention a Queen’s Counsel has allegedly received $15 million from government as a back payment when others received nothing.
“Regrettably, he’s also a terminal cancer patient and being granted immunity from prosecution in some matters,” he claimed.
“The train of events is interesting. UNC recently had a mammoth rally. So I’m not surprised. Government ministers have been talking about events like this (detention) for four years, naming and shaming - they even sought to drown me in rumour.”
UNC activist Devant Maharaj meanwhile said the detentions reeked of political persecution and witch hunting.
“While no one’s above the law and all must be accountable for their actions, everyone would be innocent until proven guilty.”