Indarsingh: Darryl Smith's new appointment 'slap in the face' to all women

UNC MP Rudranath Indarsingh says the appointment of former sport minister Darryl Smith as an international trade and investment commercial officer is "a slap to the face" for all women in TT.

He was speaking at a press conference in Port of Spain on Sunday morning.

Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon recently announced that Smith will be based in the US with responsibility for the US and Canada.

In 2020, Smith was fired for interfering in the public service, leading to the improper dismissal of an employee.

Around the time he was dismissed, there were reports of sexual misconduct against him.

The Prime Minister has since said that Smith was not fired for the alleged misconduct but for "interfering improperly in the public service."

In 2019, a three-woman committee set up by Dr Rowley found that there was a concerted effort to cover-up allegations of sexual harassment against Smith.

The committee's report, however, was neither laid in Parliament nor made public as Rowley said Smith was not given the opportunity to respond to the findings before the report was completed.

Last Monday, Gopee-Scoon defended Smith's appointment saying she would not “respond to insinuations,” adding that the process for the appointments was a fair one.

“Mr Smith applied and would have gone through two interviews and was deemed to have been successful,” she had said.

On Sunday, Indarsingh said Gopee-Scoon should feel ashamed, as a woman, for suggesting Smith to hold this new role.

Indarsingh said Smith's appointment sends a "very dangerous signal" to men in TT, which is that men will be rewarded even when they violate women.

In addressing Rowley's reasoning for dismissing Smith, Indarsingh questioned why he (Rowley) would reappoint someone who has interfered in the public service.

"What experience does Darryl Smith have in trade facilitation?

"We want to know the terms and conditions (and the) entire compensation package."

Indarsingh reminded the public that Smith was being paid with taxpayers' dollars and described it as "shameful" and "dastardly."

Smith has not been charged over any allegations of sexual misconduct.

Newsday tried to contact PNM public relations officer Faris Al-Rawi, its general secretary Foster Cummings, and head of its Women's League Camille Robinson-Regis but all calls and messages went unanswered up to press time.