[UPDATED] Hinds to be replaced as National Security JSC head

MP Fitzgerald Hinds arrives at his new office to assume his new role as Minister of National Security on Wednesday. - Jeff Mayers
MP Fitzgerald Hinds arrives at his new office to assume his new role as Minister of National Security on Wednesday. - Jeff Mayers

NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds will be replaced as chairman of the Parliament's National Security Joint Select Committee. The change has become necessary as a result of Hinds assuming his new ministerial portfolio on Monday.

Hinds was assigned to this portfolio by the Prime Minister, after his immediate predecessor Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Stuart Young was appointed Energy Minister, after the death of Franklin Khan last Saturday. Young will continue his duties in the OPM.

Hinds previously served as a Minister of State in the National Security Ministry from June 2004 to November 2007, in the then Patrick Manning administration.

As a result of Hinds' ministerial reassignment, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Camille Robinson-Regis said, "Please note that Minister Hinds will not chair that JSC." She explained "the change in chairmanship will be made when next the House of Representatives sits."

The House last sat on April 14 and has been adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Robinson-Regis also explained that Hinds' ability to chair the National Security JSC differs from that of Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to chair the Human Rights, Equality and Diversity JSC.

"Sometimes there may be issues that come up in the JSC that you chair that relate directly to your portfolio. At that time, you recuse yourself, and may attend the meeting and take no part in the discussions."

Robinson-Regis said, "Consequently, that is what Minister Gadsby-Dolly did."

She added that Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian, who is the Human Rights, Equality and Diversity JSC's vice chairman, has done the same.

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, who is a member of the National Security JSC, said, "He must step aside since this JSC is to oversee the Ministry of National Security."

Efforts to contact Hinds for comment were unsuccessful.

Newsday was advised that Hinds' could not sit as National Security JSC chairman owing to Standing Order 98 (5) of the House of Representatives which says, "As far as possible, cabinet ministers should not be members of the committees established under paragraphs (2), (3) and (4). Where the circumstances require a cabinet minister to be appointed to such committees any such appointment should be so made as to avoid occurrences of conflict of interest."

Standing Orders 98(2), (3) and (4) deal with the creation of JSCs such as the Public Accounts Committee, the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee and departmental committees appointed pursuant to Section 66A of the Constitution.

The National Security, Energy Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, Equality and Diversity JSCs are the departmental committees related to Section 66A.

The National Security JSC was scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on April 26 with representatives of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Police Service Commission (PSC). Newsday was reliably informed the meeting has been adjourned as one of those groups will be unable to meet with the JSC on that day.

This story was originally published with the title "Nat Security JSC to meet PCA" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Parliament's National Security Joint Select Committee (JSC) will hold a virtual meeting on April 26 with representatives of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA)

The Parliament website says the committee will examine the safety and security of citizens and public concerns about the performance of the police service with the PCA. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 2.45 pm.

This will be the first meeting since the committee's chairman, Fitzgerald Hinds, was named as the new National Security Minister.

Hinds was assigned to this portfolio on Monday, after his immediate predecessor Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Stuart Young was appointed Energy Minister, after the death of Franklin Khan last Saturday.Young will continue his duties in the OPM.

Hinds previously served as a Minister of State in the National Security Ministry from June 2004-November 2007, in the then Patrick Manning administration.

His most recent portfolio, Youth Development and National Service, was transferred to La Horquetta/Talparo MP Foster Cummings, who was previously a Minister in the Works and Transport Ministry.

Comments

"[UPDATED] Hinds to be replaced as National Security JSC head"

More in this section