President, MPs sign Morris-Julian condolence book at Red House

President Christine Kangaloo signs the condolence book in memory of D'Abadie/O'Meara MP and Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian on December 17 in the Rotunda, Red House, Port of Spain. Also in photo, from left, are Senate president Nigel de Freitas, Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and deputy speaker Esmond Forde. - Photo by Jeff K Mayers
President Christine Kangaloo signs the condolence book in memory of D'Abadie/O'Meara MP and Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian on December 17 in the Rotunda, Red House, Port of Spain. Also in photo, from left, are Senate president Nigel de Freitas, Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and deputy speaker Esmond Forde. - Photo by Jeff K Mayers

The mood was sombre at the Rotunda of the Red House on December 17 as members of government gathered to sign the condolence book for their friend and colleague Lisa Morris-Julian after her tragic death on December 16.

Morris-Julian – the MP for D'Abadie/O'Meara and Minister in the Ministry of Education – and two of her children died in an early morning fire at her home at Farfan Street, Arima.

President Christine Kangaloo was the first to sign the condolence book, writing for several minutes as Senate president Nigel de Freitas, House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde looked on.

De Freitas, Annisette-George and Forde then signed the book. While there were a few smiles as they spoke, the mood remained solemn.

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From left, Speaker Brigid Annisette-George and deputy Speaker Esmond Forde look on as Symon de Nobriga, Minister of Communications, signs the condolence book for Lisa Morris-Julian, MP for D'Abadie/O'Meara, at the Rotunda of the Red House, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain on December 17.
- Faith Ayoung

Later in the day, the Prime Minister, MPs and Senators signed the book. There was some conversation and laughter between them as they waited. These included Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly; Public Administration Minister Allyson West; Digital Transformation Minister Hassel Bacchus; Agricultural, Land and Fisheries Minister Kazim Hosein; Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales; Youth Development and National Service Minister Foster Cummings; Housing and Urban Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis; Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh; Senator Dr Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim; La Brea MP Fitzgerald Jeffrey; Minister in the National Security Ministry Keith Scotland; Minister in the Finance Ministry Brian Manning, Energy and Energy Industries; Minister Stuart Young; Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne; Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell; Labour Minister Stephen Mc Clashie; Attorney General Reginald Armour; Minister in the Agricultural, Land and Fisheries Ministry Avinash Singh; and Transport and Works Minister Rohan Sinanan. The President’s husband, Kerwyn Garcia, also signed the book.

Camille Robinson-Regis, Housing Minister, (centre) is consoled by Senate president Nigel de Freitas, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, deputy Speaker Esmond Forde and Speaker Brigid Annisette-George as she signs the condolence book for Lisa Morris-Julian, MP for D'Abadie/ O'Meara at the Red House on Tuesday. Also in the photo is Senator Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim. - Photo by Faith Ayoung

The grief was most palpable when Robinson-Regis entered the room.

She received long, warm hugs from each of her colleagues before signing the book, during which time she showed signs of deep emotions and got encouraging words from her companions, including De Freitas, Annisette-George and Deyalsingh.

The Prime Minister signed the book surrounded by members of Parliament. He then had brief, intense conversations with Robinson-Regis, Annisette-George and Browne before leaving the building.

The Prime Minister signs the condolence book at the Red House on December 17 as members of his Cabinet and Parliament officials look on. From left are Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service; Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works and Transport; Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Housing and Urban Development; Nigel de Freitas, president of the Senate; Speaker Brigid Annisette-George; and deputy Speaker Esmond Forde. - Faith Ayoung

A separate condolence book for members of the public was signed by parliamentary staff, members of the media and members of the public.

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