It is clear that there is an inconsistency between Jack Warner's portfolios of Works and Transport Minister and Fifa vice-president. This was the view of former prime minister and United National Congress (UNC) leader Basdeo Panday yesterday. Panday made the remark after he was asked to comment on the allegations of bribery against Warner by Fifa executive committee member American Chuck Blazer. Warner is being accused, along with Fifa presidential candidate Muhammad bin Hammam, of offering bribes to members of the Caribbean Football Union for votes in the upcoming June 1 Fifa presidential elections.
Noting that he did not think it was right to comment before Warner's hearing before a Fifa ethics committee in Zurich, Switzerland, Panday said: "But I have to remark that it is clear that there is an inconsistency between his portfolios as a minister and as Fifa vice-president. "This issue arose before, I remember, and he survived that argument," he said. "My view is that those who said that the two jobs were not compatible were quite right. "It is becoming clearer and clearer that they (the portfolios) are not compatible, and he ought to choose (between the two)."
Panday said the allegations of bribery against Warner must surely be embarrassing to T&T and the Government. Congress of the People (COP) chairman Joseph Toney said from where he sits, the matter was of grave concern to him. "Warner is a premier minister of the People's Partnership Government of which the COP is a vital part. "If, at the end of the day, the allegations prove to be correct, we will have more to say." Asked if he felt the same way about the recent allegations of wrongdoing brought against COP member Mary King, Toney said: "The Mary King issue was purely governmental. "Warner's matter has some implications for the Government, but is a football issue." Contacted for comment yesterday Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said: "I have no comment to make on that."