radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Calls are being made for Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to remove Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee as deputy Political Leader Opposition Chief Whip and MP for Pointe-a-Pierre.
But so far Persad-Bissessar has not commented on whether she intends to act against the MP who has won his seat twice.
Before the charges were laid, Persad-Bissessar had spoken out in defence of Lee insisting that he had done nothing illegal.
Last August, she urged the police to charge Lee if they had evidence against him.
At that time she said it was an attempt to “nasty people’s names,” warning that the UNC had enough good lawyers to successfully defend Lee.
Meanwhile, there have been mixed views from Lee’s constituents about the matter.
Constituent Clive Roodal said it was possible that Lee was being targeted by the police and the Government.
However, he described Lee as a failed MP who should resign.
“We could never know if this is the reason but personally I think he should resign as MP because he does nothing for the people of Claxton Bay. Two times we protested and we did not see him at all,” Roodal said.
Savitri Kalipersad claimed Lee was being targeted because he was speaking out against the Government.
“He is our MP and has served us well. The PNM want to stop him from speaking out so they have these charges with the hope that he will stop talking but the plan will backfire and he will win his case in court,” Kalipersad said.
Scrap iron worker Ramesh Ramsaroop called on Lee to resign saying too many politicians were failing the people.
“Poor people suffering out here and these politicians don’t care about us. Resign now and let someone else take over because you should not be there,” Ramsaroop said.
He added that scrap iron workers had staged protests all over Claxton Bay and Barrackpore and Lee failed to show support.
Meanwhile, on social media calls were also made for his resignation.
Teresa Lynch wrote: “I eagerly await a statement by the Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar of not only his removal as the opposition (UNC) Chief Whip but also his resignation as Member of Parliament.”
Candice Maharaj wrote: “David Lee must resign as Deputy Political Leader of the UNC, Opposition Chief Whip and MP for Pointe a Pierre, as many MPs who have been accused of corruption and misbehaviour in public life have done before him. It is the right thing to do, but by his track record, that will not happen and Kamla Persad-Bissessar must remove him immediately.”
Lee was slapped with two charges of misbehaviour in public office and conspiracy to defraud the State.
He is on $1 million bail.
It is alleged that Lee conspired with another person to defraud the State of $1,416,292.65 for the purchase of a Mercedes Benz AMG g63 Wagon motor vehicle.
That exemption was granted on May 23, 2019, and included $293,094.02 in Value Added Tax (VAT), $298,650 in motor vehicle tax and $824,548.63 in Customs duty.
sidebar
UNC National Women’s Arm supports him
Meanwhile, UNC activists continued to throw their support behind Lee.
Public Regards officer UNC National Women’s Arm Marisa Ramlogan told Guardian Media, “There is a process and it will be going to the courts. I believe in justice and at the end of the day, let the courts decide.”
She added: “He provided all the information and we stand in support of him. There is a matter with the former Attorney General and today we heard the Police had dropped the matter. I want to see what happens with this case against Mr Lee,” Ramlogan said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Couva North Constituency Executive Orlando Nagessar said it stood in support of David Lee and his “trumped-up charges.”
“One has to wonder if these charges are deliberate, calculated and well timed as it was only earlier this week David Lee exposed the Government on energy matters. This has been the normal tactic of the Government as an attempt to distract and hoodwink the population on the failure of this administration and issues affecting our country,” Nagessar said.
He added: “The people of T&T continue to ask for answers with regards to matters involving, Minister Faris Al-Rawi and Roger Kawalsingh, Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s interference in the selection of a Police Commissioner, Minister Camille Robinson Regis’s $143,800 cash deposit in RBL and the list goes on,” Nagessar said.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Lee said he is innocent of all charges and is awaiting his day in court to prove it.
“At no time did I contravene, conspire, or seek to defraud the state or its institutions through the access of exemptions for the purchase of a vehicle which all Members of Parliament are allowed,” he said.
Saying the evidence will show that the transaction was done within the confines of the law, Lee revealed: “To this very day, the vehicle is owned by me, the vehicle remains in my name, the vehicle’s insurance is in my name, the loan agreement is in my name as all documentation supports the fact that I am the owner of the vehicle in question.”
Saying he has always been transparent with the ownership of this vehicle, Lee said: “I have recorded it each year since its acquisition on my annual declaration to the Integrity Commission. Put simply, I have been charged for a vehicle that I am the legal owner of, but this is an issue I am confident, given the proof, will be vindicated in our nation’s courts.”
Despite the charges, Lee said he will continue to do his job.