Condolence books opened for Franklin Khan

A condolence book has been opened at the Red House for members of the public who wish to pay their last respects to Energy Minister Franklin,63, who died last Saturday.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Parliament announced that a condolence book has opened in the Rotunda of the Red House, between 8 am and 6 pm, from Monday to Friday until further notice. People are advised to enter the Red House through its Abercromby Street entrance and observe all covid19 protocols.

The Energy Ministry set up a virtual condolences book for Khan at its website www.energy.gov.tt on Saturday.

On Monday, the Prime Minister announced that Port of Spain North/St Ann's West MP Stuart Young would be the new Energy Minister, in addition to continuing his duties as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister. Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds replaced Young as National Security Minister. Hinds' former portfolio of Youth Development and National Service Minister was reassigned to La Horquetta/Talparo MP Foster Cummings.

On Tuesday, the Senate suspended its business to allow government, opposition and independent senators to pay tribute to Khan, who was also its Leader of Government Business. To date, there has been no announcement on funeral arrangements for Khan or if an autopsy was done to determine the cause of his death.

Last Sunday, Communications Minister Symon de Nobriga said, "Franklin Khan had a history of heart problems, so I'm not sure if there was anything untoward in his passing. We are obviously very saddened by it, but he had a history of heart problems.

"It has been confirmed that he died of a heart attack."

At the time, de Nobriga had no information about funeral arrangements for Khan or whether an autopsy would be done.

Last Saturday, Young asked people not to speculate about the cause of Khan's death but to wait for the results of an autopsy.