Padarath applies for exemption to come home for screening

Barry Padarath -
Barry Padarath -

UNC Princes Town MP Barry Padarath has applied to the National Security Ministry for an exemption to be able to return to TT. Padarath left TT in March before the borders were closed to prevent the spread of the covid19 pandemic.

He told Newsday he made his application to the ministry on June 11. Padarath was hopeful he would receive word soon as to "whether or not the exemption will be granted." Depending on what happens, Padarath added, "I take it from there."

He said he has been in touch with the UNC and would be advised about the date and time for screening of nominees for Princes Town. Padarath also said he was advised by UNC general secreraty Dave Tancoo that some nominees have been screened virtually by Zoom because they could not be physically present. He said those were nominees for other seats. Padarath said the party would decide whether he could be screened virtually if he was unable to return home in time.

Padarath said he understood and abided by the UNC's screening process.

He added, "At the end of the day, my support for the party and the leader is not conditional on me getting a seat."

Padarath observed that TT's Permanent Representative to the UN Pennelope Beckles-Robinson was granted an exemption to return home. He accepted that, like Beckles-Robinson and other returning TT nationals, he will be quarantined for 14 days whenever he returns home, in keeping with covid19 protocols.

Last week, National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed that Beckles-Robinson received an exemption to return home. Young said Beckles-Robinson would undergo "state-supervised quarantine" when she returns in keeping with the mandatory requirement for all returning nationals. Young also said Beckles-Robinson would pay for her quarantine.

A report in another daily newspaper said Beckles-Robinson would return to TT from New York, where she is based, on Sunday. The PNM is scheduled to screen prospective candidates for the Arima constituency on that day. Beckles-Robinson, who was Arima MP from 2000-2010, and incumbent MP Anthony Garcia are among the nominees for that seat.

The PNM was scheduled to screen nominees for Arima, Toco/Sangre Grande and Lopinot/Bon Air West at Queen's Hall in St Ann's on Sunday.

Last week, PNM general secretary Foster Cummings said the party's screening committee, chaired by PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley, would screen whichever nominees for Arima were available. He added, the screening committee will discuss how to treat with Beckles-Robinson's situation.

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