Wednesday, August 29 2012

DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard declined to comment yesterday on whether a charge could still be laid against fired Minister Collin Partap, saying there is the possibility his advice maybe sought on the matter.

Newsday asked Gaspard his view on whether Partap was in breach of the law by failing to give a sample of his breath to police officers, despite the fact he had obliged after the intervention of Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams at the Belmont Police Station last Sunday morning. Gaspard said, “I don’t wish to comment on the matter.”

Newsday learned yesterday a file is being prepared at the Belmont Police Station which contains a statement given by Partap who, up until his firing by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar, was a Minister in the Ministry of National Security.

Several attorneys in San Fernando expressed the view yesterday that Partap could still be charged with failing to comply with instructions outside the Zen nightclub, Port-of-Spain to comply with a request by police officers to give a sample of his breath in order to test his alcohol level. Partap subsequently complied when he was taken to the Belmont Police Station and the breathalyser tests revealed he was within the legal limit.

However, Newsday asked Gaspard if Partap was in breach of the law when he first failed to comply, but the director reiterated that it would be inappropriate for him to offer his advice.

Newsday learned the file also contains statements of the police officers who were involved. A police officer at the station told Newsday the file is being reviewed by the a senior officer before a decision is made on whether it would be sent to Gaspard for advice.