Deputy political leader of the UNC Dr Roodal Moonilal says he will reveal the name of the police officer and the unit of the Police Service which received the controversial firearm donated by Energy Minister Stuart Young.
Speaking to reporters at the swearing-in ceremony of Penal Debe Regional Corporation’s new Chairman Diptee Ramnath on Wednesday, Moonilal renewed his call for Young to explain when and where he obtained the weapon. He also urged that Young reveal why he chose to surrender it after obtaining permission for it from the Police Commissioner.
“We will continue to call on Minister Young to indicate in the national interest and the public interest the circumstances under which he returned a high-powered weapon to the TTPS. What procedure was followed and under what law and what policy,” Moonilal said.
He added: “We are now in a position to name, and I will in the coming days on a political platform, the name (of) the police officer and the unit of the Police Service that must be held to account as receiving the firearm from Minister Young.”
Moonilal suggested that the proper procedure was not followed by the officer who received the gun.
“We believe that person who received it was not authorised in law to do such and that speaks volumes to the levels of lawlessness in the society,” he said.
He also had a message for Young.
“My message to him is accountability is not a choice, it is an imperative in public service.”
Young in a previous interview with Guardian Media revealed that he has never been in possession of an automatic firearm but admitted to donating a gun to the TTPS.
“The possession and disposal of any legal firearm must be authorised and approved by a Commissioner of Police. I can confirm that I did donate a legal weapon to the TTPS. At all times I have abided by the laws of Trinidad and Tobago,” Young said then.
He did not give details about his decision to donate the weapon but explained: “My action was of my own volition and I stand by it.”
Moonilal had alleged during an Opposition media briefing that a Government minister possessed and surrendered to the police a Springfield St Edge 5.56 pistol, which he described as an “assault weapon” and not a pistol.
Moonilal said he had information the weapon was surrendered by Young to the Multi-Operational Police Squad (MOPS) which is under the police’s Special Branch.
When approached last Friday for further comments on the matter, Young “steupsed” and walked off on Guardian Media’s senior journalist Otto Carrington.