PM appoints 2nd minister in National Security Ministry

PORT of Spain South MP Keith Scotland, SC, will become a Cabinet minister responsible for policing, to try to help Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds in the fight against crime, the Prime Minister told a post-cabinet briefing at Whitehall on July 25.

The move comes after constant calls by the Opposition for Hinds’ head, amid an ongoing criminal onslaught including 15 people murdered in one weekend in July.

Dr Rowley said, “We have run this Government since 2015 with a significantly reduced number of ministers, but because of the pressures of the pushback that is coming to us from the criminal element, we have decided to put a bit more of the Cabinet resource on the police and some aspects of security.”

Reading out the entities falling under the ministry, he said the police were of concern to Cabinet.

Rowley said, “We believe the police need special care and attention, special monitoring, special review and of course special guidance in some instances.”

The PM said he has advised President Christine Kangaloo to add a minister to the ministry, namely Scotland, to deal with police/government issues.

He said Scotland would take over responsibility for policing, offender management, illegal immigrants, drug trafficking and drug enforcement, and money laundering.

Scotland will be a Cabinet member, as “minister in the ministry,” Rowley added.

Rowley said the job of being a national security minister was “quite a thankless job.” He recalled having had three men in that portfolio, respectively Brig Edmund Dillon, Stuart Young (now Energy Minister) and Hinds.

Of Dillon, the PM said, “I don’t think he had an easy time.” Rowley said Young was “received with little enthusiasm” and “had quite a rough time.” He described Hinds as “your favourite minister.”

Rowley pointed out several problems in the police. He likened the process of appointing a new police commissioner to “calculus.”

The PM lamented the process of police promotions often ended up in the courthouse.

He added that the top of the police service was “not a very healthy place," saying,  “It is horrid at the top of the police service.”

In the question session, reporters asked if Hinds’ duties were too many.

Rowley said, “As we try to do more and so much trouble is coming to us from the police, I decided – as Prime Minister it is my prerogative to make that decision – the minister was being distracted by too many other things, when we wanted more focusing on the police.”

Rowley, in reply to questions, said Scotland would have to give up both his role as chairman of Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security and his private law practice in order to be a Cabinet minister.

Asked what Scotland would bring to the portfolio, Rowley said, “Focus on a particular area. It is not magic.”

However, he said the criminal element was constantly evolving, likening it to an amoeba, and wondering how some people thought up gruesome crimes.

Denying media reports of rehiring of fired staff of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), he said his position was that unsuitable individuals must not populate security agencies, even if that meant they went to court and got paid compensation at the State’s expense.

Rowley said in recent times, he had spent more time on national security than any other part of his portfolio as prime minister, also noting the presence of the National Security Council, which he chaired.

Contacted for comment later, Scotland told Newsday, “So what I want to say is, I am very honoured. I feel up to the challenge. I will bring to bear all the experience I have had over the years to the task at hand.

“I would prefer to say more upon receipt of my instrument tomorrow.”

He said he expected to receive his instrument of appointment at 2 pm at President’s House, St Ann’s.

Newsday tried but was unable to contact Hinds.

Police Service DCP Junior Benjamin, in response to Scotland’s appointment, told Newsday the police were there to work with anyone in the ministry to improve national security.

“I welcome any person or anything that will bring greater efficiency and effectiveness to national security and I’m looking forward to ensuring that we continue to provide what is needed now for the country – decisive action that is able to curb crime.”

Asked why he thought Scotland was appointed, he replied, “I can’t say but I know Scotland to be a prolific individual in terms of his legal profession and I believe that he is well learnt in his law and I’m certain his experience with the police will help as we look to move forward in building that stronger relationship with the Ministry of National Security.”

Newsday asked if the police ever had any issues communicating with Hinds.

Benjamin said, “Hinds is a very good individual. He continues to do fantastic work as Minister of National Security. Hinds is well respected within the police fraternity.

“We can only feel that working along with Hinds that together we can be a stronger teams with National Security efforts that will help the country.”

(With reporting by Enrique Rupert)