Carolyn: No reappointing Le Hunte
Former government minister Carolyn Seepersad Bachan yesterday claimed that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley would be undermining integrity in public life and failing to address corruption, if Robert Le Hunte is re-appointed as a senator and Public Utilities Minister. Seepersad Bachan made this claim hours after Rowley said Le Hunte was a TT citizen and would be appointed once the communications glitch regarding his citizenship is clarified.
In a statement, Seepersad Bachan said anyone taking a ministerial oath of office must be familiar with the provisions of the Constitution. She claimed that when he was sworn in last Thursday, Le Hunte did so, "despite knowing that he was in direct violation of section 42(1) (of the Constitution)." She said it is "a serious disrespect to the citizenry" to have Le Hunte reappointed after this ordeal.
On this basis, Seepersad Bachan said Le Hunte, "should be disqualified from holding any public office at this time." She said transparency and accountability in public life demands that existing or prospective Cabinet ministers, respect the Constitution and the rule of law. Saying the issue of corruption in government should start at the top, Seepersad Bachan said if Rowley is serious about solving the problem of corruption within his administration, "he should therefore lead by example."
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"Carolyn: No reappointing Le Hunte"