Friday, March 19 2010

An unusually subdued Information Minister Neil Parsanlal yesterday denied Newsday’s page one report that the Prime Minister had been interviewed by the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB). He conveniently made the comment at the end of the post-Cabinet news conference, allowing no questions to be asked by reporters.

“Before we close off the press conference today, I want to say something to members of the national community. The Government wishes to categorically deny the headlines appearing in today’s Newsday that the Prime Minister and Mr Imbert were interviewed by the ACIB in respect of Sunway, Calder Hart and all the other issues. The headline and the story are completely inaccurate. They are completely false, bear no relation to the discussions taking place, that took place yesterday and are ongoing,” Parsanlal said.

Newsday and its reporters Andre Bagoo “or my dear friend Mr Bagoo” and Nalinee Seelal were the only ones identified by Parsanlal. The electronic media who Parsanlal said had also carried the report, Caribbean News Network (CCN) TV6 and State-owned television station Caribbean New Media Group (CMNG), were not named by Parsanlal at the conference.

However, Parsanlal admitted that Mr Manning had been interviewed by the police with respect to the Abu Bakr affidavit. “As far as we are aware and as far as the media knows, the affidavit and the questions surrounding the affidavit have been an ongoing story. It is a battle and I use the word advisedly. A battle that has been fought in the courts and the matter is being investigated by the police,” he said.

Parsanlal added: “All persons who are named in the affidavit are being questioned by the police. The police meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with Sunway, Calder Hart and all of the other things that have been mentioned in the article.” Parsanlal observed that Newsday’s article was “very detailed about the questioning of Minister Imbert” but this was also inaccurate.

Police sources yesterday insisted that the Newsday report was correct and not inaccurate as Parsanlal sought to make out. Parsanlal also continued his weekly preaching to the media “to try as much as possible to be accurate in your reporting.”

“Please ensure there is some level of responsibility in your reporting. Thank you and do have a good day ladies and gentlemen,” Parsanlal said as the conference ended.