Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is not about to apologise for statements he made against acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert last Thursday. Leader of the Opposition Dr Keith Rowley was the first to issue a public call for an apology from Ramlogan hours after Ramlogan said Philbert should take full responsibility for the looting taking place at the site of the abandoned Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ Church at the Heights of Guanapo, Arima. The church is being investigated by the Integrity Commission and Ramlogan said valuable evidence may have been lost as a result of the looting.
He had said Philbert must give an adequate explanation for his failure to secure the facility and failing to do so would result in the Police Service Commission taking the required action. Ramlogan said the expiration of Philbert's acting appointment could be "accelerated" by the Police Service Commission. Philbert in response accused the AG of displaying "contempt, disdain, bias and animosity for the office of Commissioner of Police."
But despite the increasing calls for Ramlogan's apology, the minister in a four-line response said he was "happy that the law enforcement agencies have (now) responded to the challenge posed by the public looting at the church and have restored calm, law and order. "There is therefore no need for an apology," he added. Ramlogan said he maintained the opinion "public officials must be held accountable. We cannot expect different results if we continue doing things the same way." He insisted: "Failure to perform should result in a letter of warning, disciplinary action and termination by the relevant and competent authorities." (RL)