Hinds, CoP: SSA investigations ongoing

NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says the Prime Minister was not premature in making a statement in the House of Representatives on July 3 about the findings of an audit into the operations of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).

Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher has said police investigations related to the findings of that audit are ongoing and details cannot be provided at this time.

Hinds and Harewood-Christopher made their comments on Monday after the launch of an anti-crime initiative at the National Security Ministry's office on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain and before a meeting of the Parliament's National Security Joint Select Committee at the Red House, respectively.

Speaking with the media after the event at his ministry, Hinds said, "I didn't think the Prime Minister's comments were premature. We have been dealing with this for months now."

Dr Rowley, Hinds continued, indicated to the population a few months ago, what his preliminary understanding of facts and promised to keep the nation abreast on this matter.

He said, "The Prime Minister judged that last week was a good time to keep you informed as to the developments and he so did."

Hinds observed there was a media report in which criminologist Darius Figuera questioned the timing of Rowley's statement.

"I compliment Dr Figuera for his thoughts, but of course, it is as good as and no better than that of the Prime Minister's and it is the Prime Minister's call. It is not yours. It is not mine or Dr Figuera's.

Hinds was asked if he expected any imminent arrests of anyone in relation to the findings in the SSA audit.

He replied, "Which investigation (are) you talking about? The Prime Minister said what is happening at the SSA now, we promptly changed the leadership or the head of the SSA. Once these matters became known to us and the former head was so central to these matters, we promptly, within days made arrangements for a new leader."

On March 2, TT's ambassador to Washington, DC, US, Brig-Gen Anthony Phillips-Spencer was recalled and appointed acting SSA director.

Hinds said Phillips-Spencer is "leading a series of audits into every single aspect of the operations of the SSA and that is ongoing."

He added, "As a result of these audits, investigations by the police will now ensue. So I'm not so sure which investigations you are speaking about."

Hinds repeated that Rowley said "all of these matters are engaging the attention of the police and it would be not just premature but a little too engaging."

He said, "It would be crossing the line if the Prime Minister got involved in that aspect of it. The Prime Minister is a very dignified and careful man. A very experienced operator. A very inspiring leader too."

Hinds added that Rowley had repeatedly told government members to know where the lines were on any issue.

"We keep the lines very firmly. I tell you this, though. He was severely criticised by a couple mouthy people in respect of his presenting his concerns on behalf of the national community to the Police Service Commission (PSC) when he did. And when he did that, it was because they were in the throes of deciding who should lead the police service.

"I'm talking back in 2021. The Prime Minister found it necessary on behalf of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and in keeping with the Constitution, advised the PSC of certain developments for it to take into account as it made its decision, And that happened."

Hinds said, "There is a Privy Council case which suggests there is nothing wrong with that."

He added that service commissions like the PSC are public institutions which can take submissions from "anyone and they do."

Hinds repeated that Rowley knew his lines and boundaries and acted well within them.

He was asked if there were concerns about people linked to the SSA, who were allegedly organising a coup attempt against the government, being able to leave TT.

Hinds said, "All of these matters are within the investigative purview of the TT police service."

At the National Security JSC meetings, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal asked Harewood-Christopher to "confirm whether or not the TTPS (TT police service) is currently investigating the very, very serious concern of an attempted coup in this country, involving a specialised law-enforcement agency that itself is under some investigation and audit."

Harewood-Christopher replied, "In as much as it is a very burning issue. It is an issue that is at a very delicate stage and it will not be prudent for me to comment at this time."