Wednesday, October 21 2009

DIEGO Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley’s fiery attack against Prime Minister Patrick Manning during debate on the Validation and Immunity from Proceedings Bill 2009 in Parliament on Monday, yesterday drew mixed reactions from some of his former Cabinet colleagues and sitting PNM MPs.

Rowley said the Udecott scandal was worse than the Piarco Airport scandal and urged PNM members to “do the right thing” and prevent the party from being tainted. Trade and Industry Minister Mariano Browne disagreed with Rowley’s view but did not explain his reasons for doing so.

“He is entitled to his opinion,” Browne said. The minister added that other PNM MPs may express their opinions on matters raised by Rowley when debate on the Validation Bill resumes in the House today at 10.30 am.

On Monday, Manning said he never fired Rowley from the Cabinet last April because of Rowley’s concerns about a lack of oversight on Udecott. The Prime Minister has not made a contribution in the debate and might do so today.

Tobago West MP Stanford Callendar said he would be speaking in today’s debate and preferred not to comment about what Rowley said. “I’d rather not,” Callendar stated. St Ann’s East MP Anthony Roberts who sits next to Rowley in the backbench said: “I prefer to keep my opinion.” Former junior national security minister Fitzgerald Hinds said: “I share the concerns as expressed by Dr Rowley.” Hinds said from speaking to other party members there are others who share this view as well. He added that if the PNM believes that some of its members at the level of Government are not performing then something should be done to address the matter.

Hinds disagreed with Rowley about Udecott being the PNM’s weakness because the commission has not submitted its findings as yet.

However he was certain that Udecott will be “a major issue between now and the next election.” Hinds said this was why it was important to pass the bill.