Lutchmedial in Senate: The longest rope has an end

File photo: Jayanti Lutchmedial
File photo: Jayanti Lutchmedial

OPPOSITION Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial accused the PNM of engaging in "a frontal attack on our democracy" and praised Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her bravery to stand in defence of Trinidad and Tobago's democracy.

Lutchmedial made these statements in her contribution to the budget debate in the Senate on Tuesday. During her contribution, Lutchmedial was cautioned by Senate President Christine Kangaloo about raising matters which are currently before the court.

Her statements came one day before the House of Representatives holds an extraordinary sitting to vote on a motion filed by Persad-Bissessar for the appointment of a tribunal to investigate the removal of President Paula-Mae Weekes from office in accordance with Section 36 of the Constitution, in relation to the last month's collapse of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the failure to submit a merit list of candidates for the commissioner of police (CoP) to the House for consideration."

Referring to statements made by the PNM against Persad-Bissessar and the UNC regarding the PSC and CoP issues, Lutchmedial warned, "The longest rope has an end."

She praised Persad-Bissessar for her "bravery and courage for fighting for what is right."

Lutchmedial said the UNC and other citizens have been fearless patriots in defence of an alleged attack on TT's democracy by the PNM. She identified social activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj amongst the latter.

Kangaloo cautioned Lutchmedial when she claimed Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was afraid of her and accused him of trying to corral people into a shopping mall to receive covid19 vaccines. She also cautioned Lutchmedial when she alleged the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs was giving " advice on criminal law matters to the TTPS (TT Police Service)"

She asked, "Maybe he (Al-Rawi) is looking for an alternative career in law enforcement?"

As Lutchmedial continued to make claims against Al-Rawi, Kangaloo told her, "Can I ask you when you are referring to the Attorney General..that you afford the office...the proper respect in terms of the title of the office."

Lutchmedial heeded Kangaloo's advice. She said, "The Prime Minister is saying the Attorney General is under attack because he is going after white collar crime."

Lutchmedial then began to read what she said was a Trinidad Express report about a legal matter which she felt Al-Rawi should focus on.

Government Senator Laurel Lezama Lee Sing intervened and told Kangaloo, she never heard Dr Rowley make that statement in the budget debate in Parliament. Kangaloo advised Lutchmedial to move on to another point.

When Lutchemedial referred to other legal matters, Kangaloo said, "Senator Lutchmedial, I have to caution you at this stage. In your very wide, sweeping presentation, you are making references to matters that are before the court. I am going to caution you. Please do not make references to matters that are currently before the court."

When Lutchmedial said there was no criminal matters involving a particular company currently before the court, Kangaloo replied, "Thank you very much Senator Lutchmedial for the enlightenment but can you move on please."

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"Lutchmedial in Senate: The longest rope has an end"

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