Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
“Steups!”
That is how Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young responded to questions about a gun he donated to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Following the swearing-in ceremony of Port-of-Spain City Corporation councillors, Guardian Media sought to question Young about the gun donation following claims made by the Opposition UNC about the process.
But he had nothing to say except for, “Steups.”
The Minister then proceeded to walk off before the entire question was even asked.
Last Sunday, Young admitted to Guardian Media that he had donated a firearm to the police service.
However, he said it was not an automatic weapon as was being suggested and added that he never possessed that type of firearm.
Young’s admission came after Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal claimed a Government Minister surrendered an automatic weapon to the police. He also questioned how many guns the minister in question had in his possession and why.
Young, however, stopped short of giving details about his donation and stayed away from saying when it was gifted to the police service, what type of gun and the reason behind making the donation.
Moonilal had claimed that the Government Minister surrendered a Springfield St Edge 5.56 pistol, which, despite its name, was actually an automatic weapon.
But yesterday, as news of Young’s “steups” response spread, Moonilal issued a statement doubling down on his claims.
Moonilal also called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to intervene in the matter.
He criticised Young’s response, labelling it as contemptuous towards the media and the public.
He emphasised that Young’s conduct was unacceptable, particularly considering his past roles as Minister of National Security and a member of the National Security Council.
Moonilal said Young’s response was “illustrative of the high-handedness and lack of transparency within the Rowley administration.”
He said Young must address several critical questions regarding “his questionable donation of a firearm to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, as the situation involves undisclosed police officers and raises suspicions of potential legal breaches.”
Moonilal also called for Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher to publicly explain the policy, procedure and practice of the TTPS in receiving firearms from citizens.