Constituency stands with Young

THE PNM Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West Constituency on Friday expressed support for its MP Stuart Young.

The Minister of National Security is under fire over the March visit of Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and PDVSA officials just before a Paria Fuel Trading Company oil shipment sold to oil-trader ES Euro Shipping SA was due to go to a refinery in Aruba yet was thought to have ended up in Venezuela, now under US sanctions for alleged election rigging.

Regarding Opposition concerns that Rodriguez's visit may have violated the Rio Treaty, Young told the Senate that, in a recent talk with US Ambassador Joseph N Mondello, no breach of any treaty was raised.

The constituency, in a statement headlined "Let’s Talk About Stuart," defended Young in the current controversy and detailed his record as minister and MP.

It said he had been under "incredulous attack” as one of TT's most active ministers, and hit the Opposition for an alleged major rights violation by way of Cambridge Analytica.

On the current controversy, the statement said, “We could talk about the fact the 1947 Treaty of Rio has no bearing on this circumstance of an alleged third party sale of oil from TT to Venezuela, despite much due diligence from local authorities.”

The constituency hailed the Government (including Young) for their efforts “above and beyond” to stem the spread of covid19.

The release said rather than bacchanalia and graft, in TT’s darkest hour, Government's emphasis has been on care and delivery to ease hearts and minds and bolster our patriotism.

“Let us focus on the fact that after persons started succumbing following exposure to covid19, it has been a huge relief that following excellent work by our healthcare and supporting sectors, we have stemmed this tide and now we are known as an international benchmark of covid19 response, with several international citizens and groups applauding the leadership of Dr Keith Rowley and his team, with Honourable Stuart Young as a main support beside Honourable Minister Deyalsingh and others.”

The statement urged all to talk about Young’s support for his constituency at this time, ensuring aid reaches those who are most in need and building relationships and capacity with groups and bodies in the constituency. “The most stones and rods are thrown at the most healthy fruit. It is no different in this case."

The statement said the constituency, its executive, its party groups and thousands of members will not stand idly by and allow a key ingredient of the nation’s productivity to be pulled down for political gain rather than raise it.

“We stand in defence of the Honourable Stuart Young and unreservedly express so from every end of the constituency.”