By ANDRE BAGOO Wednesday, September 30 2009

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Michael Annisette...

INDEPENDENT Senator Michael Annisette yesterday lashed back at Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley for calling on him to step down as a senator because of positions he (Annisette) holds on State boards. Annisette also accused Rowley of being hypocritical and attempting to infringe on his rights as an Independent Senator.

On Monday, Rowley called for Annisette to either step down as an independent senator or give up his numerous posts on State boards including a directorship in Udecott. Rowley noted that in the PNM, this is the established practice whenever someone is appointed to a public office.

But yesterday, Annisette lashed back, arguing that just because something is established practice in the PNM does not mean it should be “imposed” on the country.

“It is unfortunate that Dr Rowley walked that road. He said the PNM policy is not to have people sitting on boards,” he said. “What does he mean by that? That I, as an independent senator, am a member of the PNM? I am not a member of the PNM,” Annisette stated.

Asked if the ethical underpinnings of the PNM policy was not relevant generally, Annisette said, “PNM policies for a political party cannot be made law for Trinidad and Tobago. In one breath you cannot mash up the party and then, when it suits you, use the party to impose on the rights of an independent senator. One has to be careful.”

Annisette who also holds a directorship of a company that is the subject of queries in the Uff Commission of Inquiry, said he had not, up until yesterday afternoon, decided on whether he will participate in tomorrow’s debate in the Senate over legislation to validate the inquiry proceedings.

“At the end of the day my decision will be based on what has been the practice in the past,” he said. While he has sought legal advice on the issue he noted that he was going ahead on his own, “I am doing this on my own. I am not going to lawyers. What I am looking at is the Standing Orders, the Integrity in Public Life Act as well as May’s Parliamentary Practice. They speak about conflict of interest and what is a conflict of interest.”