AG: I say my prayers for Ramdeen

ATTORNEY General Faris Al-Rawi says former UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen is in his prayers even as no replacement was announced for Ramdeen in the Senate yesterday.

Ramdeen and former attorney general Anand Ramlogan appeared in court on Monday on three charges of conspiring with a Jamaica-born Queen’s Counsel. Also Monday Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced Ramdeen, who had been appointed a senator in October 2016 after previously serving as a temporary senator, had resigned as a senator.

Al-Rawi spoke on the issue with the media yesterday at the Parliament building, Port of Spain.

"On a personal note I say my prayers for now ex-senator Ramdeen. I take no joy in seeing anybody in difficulty. There was an obligation to be discharged without fear or favour, malice or ill will. You will note I have not adopted the role and functionality of predecessor attorneys general, particularly in the UNC. You will not find on a public platform blowing hot air continuously trying to frighten people. It's either you do your job or you don't do your job."

He said there was due process in the country.

On Ramdeen's contributions in the Senate, Al-Rawi said there was merit in every perspective.

"I do not discount the bona fide merit coming from any perspective. One is wise to listen to those who are your opponents at all points in time. I would like to believe my actions speak as loud as my words do because you have witnessed me now for eight years in the Parliament listen to those opposite me. And at no point in time have I ever poured scorn upon someone's perspective because they are my political opponents. I have tried to lift that bad as best as I can and that instruction and advice has been given to me by no less a person than Dr Rowley."

Persad-Bissessar said Monday that she would share the name of Ramdeen's replacement with the public in due course.