Moses confirms ‘exchange’ with guard

FOREIGN and Caricom Affairs Minister Dennis Moses confirmed he had "an exchange" with a security guard at Piarco International Airport in September, but gave no details about the incident for which the guard has been suspended.

A statement from the ministry, gave an account of Moses and Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis arrival at the airport on September 20 after returning from a meeting in Guyana where they attended a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on energy between the South American country and TT.

The ministers arrived on BW 527, at 9.25 am, and were escorted through a secure area of the terminal to leave the building. The ministry said "for ease of departure" the ministers were taken through the duty free area to the first visible exit controlled by Airports Authority security. The ministry said the on-duty officer advised the party to proceed to the customs area to exit.

"The protocol officer identified the ministers to the officer and requested that the security officer facilitate their passage through the exit. However, access was denied. Following an exchange between the security officer and the Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, the party exited the terminal building via the customs area," the ministry said.

On Monday, the Airports Authority disclosed that security guard Kelvon Alexander was suspended for being discourteous to the ministers, although he was correct to advise them they could not leave through the duty free exit. Alexander was told he ought to recognise members of Cabinet and "facilitate their requests" in a courteous manner.