President Christine Kangaloo needs to clear the air regarding the non-renewal of the contract of former president of the Industrial Court, Deborah Thomas-Felix.
Couva South MP, Rudy Indarsingh, reiterated this call on Sunday, and is also seeking answers about the President’s husband—Kerwyn Garcia—and the number of State briefs he has been given.
It is alleged that there is possible conflict of interest in a matter Garcia has before the Industrial Court.
Thomas-Felix who was in Geneva, Switzerland, was reportedly called by Her Excellency last week Monday, days before her contract was due to expire.
Indarsingh, speaking in a GML report, questioned whether nepotism and favouritism are at play.
He asked whether a senior Cabinet minister spoke out vehemently against Deborah Thomas-Felix’s contract renewal and if this occurred, whether it played any role in Her Excellency’s decision.
“I am advised through word on the ground that these things played a role in the non-renewal of the contract.”
Indarsingh stressed that the Industrial Court and the position of president of the Court should remain independent and therefore any speculation should be debunked.
“I think that Her Excellency should speak to the country as it relates to the circumstances which led to the non-renewal of the contract which facilitated Miss Heather Seale to be appointed as the president of the (Industrial) Court,” he said.
He also called for transparency and accountability relating to the issue of the State briefs for her husband, Kerwyn Garcia.
“If this is not cleared up, we will continue to ask the question about this tangled web that is being weaved at this point in time,” Indarsingh said.