Alleged bigot or simply creative person?
That was the stormy “debate” yesterday between UNC MP Barry Padarath and Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte on the ministry’s use in a conservation campaign of a social media operator whom Padarath alleged was a “bigot and racist”, and whom Le Hunte defended as a “creative person with a following.”
Their “debate” on the man in question occurred in separate statements to reporters outside the Parliament chamber yesterday after Padarath raised the issue inside the Chamber during yesterday’s meeting of Parliament’s Finance Committee meeting. Padarath stormed out concerning the matter
In the meeting, after Le Hunte spoke about a $62million decrease for 2018 in ministry funding, Padarath said he’d noted WASA’s new social media campaign and asked if as part of the ministry’s savings, whether a contract to an alleged “bigot and racist” person “associated with the PNM” was being done.
Padarath was immediately shut down by committee chairman Bridgid Anisette-George who did not allow the question and,” certain words,” she added.
When cross-talk erupted between Government front benchers and Padarath she told the fuming Padarath: “If you find difficulty in maintaining yourself, I always advise a little walk—please restrain yourself,”
Annisette-George also cautioned UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh who had complained in support of Padarath.
Right after, Padarath stalked out of the Chamber in a huff, declaring the situation a “complete charade”
Annisette-George rebuked him saying: “When you leave, you’re leaving with certain decorum or you’ll be assisted in leaving!”
Indarsingh also left with Padarath.
Speaking to reporters after, Padarath said the Public Utility Ministry’s social media platform had a video featuring the man he’d alleged was a racist (name called) who he claimed was known as a PNM operative.
Padarath alleged: “He’s expressed sentiments of bigotry, race, hate speech and many other things that many in the public domain are quite familiar with. He’s a known sympathiser/supporter of the PNM who’s made several disparaging, racist, hateful, discriminatory remarks about people and public officials.”
“To see a contract featuring this person being displayed on the Ministry’s website—not the first time he’s gotten work being paid by taxpayers’ dollars—I have a serious problem with that. It tells me this Goverment supports racial hate. discrimination, hate speech, bigotry among many things,”
Le Hunte, however, defended the man’s work for the ministry, saying the ministry needed to use all messaging available in its conservation outreach and he felt the man had the ability to perform and reach certain groups. He said the man had done “some work” in assisting outreach promotion, it’s well known he’s being used by the Ministry in this and his efforts had been tremendously successful.
He said he’ d seen some of the man’s social media pages, but couldn’t say he’d gone through all pages to know everything the man said. Le Hunte added, “Based on the work done for me, promoting my outreach programme and getting people from both sides to come to my programe in various areas, the work done by him has been fantastic.”
He said the man had achieved what was needed and he was separating the man’s social media work from his work for the ministry.
Le Hunte added, “I’m not aware of the claims being made or any proof regarding those claims. The person has a certain following in certain groups. He’s demonstrated a certain type of creativity in being able to meet certain target groups. I’m not going to get into who’s a bigot or not. I won’t be intimidated by wild statements and accusations to prevent Wasa message from reaching all groups.”
He said the man wouldn’t be the only provider used by the ministry to carry its conservation message. Le Hunte addedL “If we have to eliminate contractors or people based on controversial background, we’ ll have a problem with a lot of contractors.”
Noting the following he said the man has on his website, Le Hunte added this would be considered if he wanted to get a message across and personal creativity and ability to help him achieve his objectives would also be considered
Asked if he wasn’t concerned negative perception about the person extending to the ministry, Le Hunte said he won’t be intimidated by “rash statements” about anyone to prevent them getting a livelihood, “If we continue running a country because someone has a problem, you’re going to deprive individuals from a livelihood—that’s not fair.”
The man involved in the ministry’s campaign didn’t answer calls.