Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused the Prime Minister of side-stepping critical questions during his press conference on Monday.
In a release, she said: “After returning from another taxpayer funded trip abroad which has again earned no results for the people of our country, Dr Keith Rowley spent his press conference sidestepping critical issues. Instead he defended his enjoyment of taxpayer funds on these lavish trips and used his Gary Griffith tabanca as an excuse to avoid anti-crime talks.”
She said Rowley skirted the main issues raised in her letters to him, but his comments do provide some insight.
Persad-Bissessar said: “The PM clearly stated that he is NOT coming to the table for crime talks as he believes he can appoint five of his worst ministers to these talks. Five people who have a record of failure, incompetence and dishonesty.”
According to her: “He has failed to acknowledge my October 14th 2023 letter seeking clarification and raising pertinent questions about the differences in content between his two letters that were sent regarding crime talks.”
“He is now out-and-out lying to give the impression to the population that the Opposition stated that Gary Griffith must attend and this was a “deal breaker”. He has resurrected his weird love/hate relationship with Gary Griffith.”
“In a nutshell, Rowley has let the cat out of the bag and revealed why he refuses to respond to my letters seeking clarification and why he does not want to lead the crime talks. He simply cannot get over his Gary Griffith tabanca. Rowley needs to man up, get over Gary Griffith and put the citizens of this country first.”
Persad-Bissessar said, “Crime continues to be a pressing issue but Rowley cannot get over his fears and insecurities to lead his own team. Instead of cowardly skirting the real issues and babbling without any solid plans and solutions, I urge Rowley to find the time and courtesy to meet with all stakeholders and lead the fight against violent criminality.”
She said the UNC remains ready, willing and able to join hands with anyone, including the Government to fight crime in the interest of the people of T&T.