[UPDATED] Eversley demands apology from Young, Imbert

AT a press conference in front of the Red House on October 15, activist Wendell Eversley demanded an apology from Energy Minister Stuart Young and Finance Minister Colm Imbert for the sexual innuendoes reportedly made in Parliament on October 10.

The press conference was held to address the state of leadership in Trinidad and Tobago.

Young and Imbert apparently made the remarks as they threw picong at UNC MPs leaving the House of Representatives, and they were picked up by microphones.

Eversley said, "I'm calling on Stuart Young this morning to apologise to the people of TT, to apologise to Parliament. And I'm calling also on the Minister of Finance, who was cheering him on, to also apologise to the people of TT."

He also called on Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George to address the comments. He referred to an incident on October 8, when the Speaker was critical of UNC MP Michelle Benjamin (Moruga/Tableland) for making comments deemed inappropriate.

"Just recently the Speaker of the House had to pull up the MP for Moruga/Tableland with her comments about 'open your leg and put the highway'...she criticised it.

"So are we going to stay silent about what Stuart Young said about an opposition leader who was former prime minister about what she's going to do in the parliament toilet?

"I want to see if the Speaker, Bridgid Annisette-George, ain't take action against him, and I want to see if any MP would bring him before the Privileges Committee of Parliament."

Eversley said the nation lacks "statecraft leadership and statecraft diplomacy."

He said the nation's leaders need to set a better example for children, especially in the wake of a rise in bullying incidents at schools. He specifically referred to Jayden Lalchan, a Form Four student of St Stephen’s College, Princes Town, who took his life on October 3 after years of bullying.

"When we talking about bullying, when we talking about a child that just died by suicide because of what was done to him in his school, we see MPs making all sort of statement...from both opposition and government…

"Look how they carrying on. Look at their conduct. What do they expect from schoolchildren? What do they expect when the children hear these kinds of comments from them? They are the same children that come in Parliament and have youth debate. They are the same children who they expect better from and are quick to criticise...

"We cannot continue with having men and women in our Parliament, the highest court of law of the land, making these kinds of degrading and distasteful remarks."

Queer Corner Caribbean, an LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) advocacy organisation, called for an apology from those involved.

"It is saddening to see TT leaders engage in bullying while the nation mourns the sad death of a minor who died by suicide as a result of being bullied. Politicians have dangled the promise of legal recognition for support during elections, only to abandon sympathy and allyship upon taking office.

"Using salacious accusations of queerness for picong perpetuates harassment and discrimination against LGBTQIA Trinbagonians. We outrightly condemn this language and call for accountability, starting with an immediate apology."

The UNC Women’s Arm also condemned the "offensive and disrespectful remarks" made by Young.

"The remarks, targeting Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflect a disturbing lack of decorum and professionalism in the Parliament, which should be a place of dignity and respect for all representatives.

"The Women’s Arm of the United National Congress (UNC) strongly condemns the offensive and disrespectful remarks made by Energy Minister Stuart Young during last Thursday’s sitting of the House of Representatives. The remarks, targeting Opposition Leader Hon Kamla Persad-Bissessar, reflect a disturbing lack of decorum and professionalism in the Parliament, which should be a place of dignity and respect for all representatives."

The organisation said the Opposition Leader, a former prime minister, attorney general and Education Minister had served this nation with distinction and continued to do so as leader of the opposition.

"The comments made by Minister Young undermine the principles of respect, particularly towards women in leadership, and are unbecoming of any public official. We stand in solidarity with our political leader in rejecting this type of conduct and urging for civility in our nation’s highest office of governance.

"The UNC Women’s Arm finds it deeply unfortunate that such remarks come at a time when our nation is grappling with pressing issues, including the escalating violence in schools and a national crisis of safety for our children. At a time when our focus should be on unity and solutions, these inappropriate and derogatory remarks only serve to distract from the urgent needs of the people."

The organisation called on Young to apologise for his statements. It called on all leaders, especially those in government, to uphold a standard of respect, especially towards women, both in and outside the Parliament.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

At a press conference in front of the Red House on October 15, activist Wendell Eversley demanded an apology from Energy Minister Stuart Young and Finance Minister Colm Imbert for the sexual innuendoes reportedly made in Parliament on October 10.

The press conference was held to address the state of leadership in Trinidad and Tobago.

Young and Imbert apparently made the remarks as they threw picong at UNC MPs leaving the House of Representatives, and they were picked up by microphones.

Eversley said, "I'm calling on Stuart Young this morning to apologise to the people of TT, to apologise to Parliament. And I'm calling also on the Minister of Finance, who was cheering him on, to also apologise to the people of TT."

He also called on Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George to address the comments. He referred to an incident on October 8, when the Speaker was critical of UNC MP Michelle Benjamin (Moruga/Tableland) for making comments deemed inappropriate.

"Just recently the Speaker of the House had to pull up the MP for Moruga/Tableland with her comments about 'open your leg and put the highway'...she criticised it.

"So are we going to stay silent about what Stuart Young said about an opposition leader who was former prime minister about what she's going to do in the Parliament toilet?

"I want to see if the Speaker, Bridgid Annisette-George, ain't take action against him, and I want to see if any MP would bring him before the Privileges Committee of Parliament."

Eversley said the nation lacks "statecraft leadership and statecraft diplomacy."

He said the nation's leaders need to set a better example for children, especially in the wake of a rise in bullying incidents at schools. He specifically referred to Jayden Lalchan, a Form Four student of St Stephen’s College, Princes Town, who took his life on October 3 after years of bullying.

"When we talking about bullying, when we talking about a child that just died by suicide because of what was done to him in his school, we see MPs making all sort of statement...from both opposition and government…

"Look how they carrying on. Look at their conduct. What do they expect from schoolchildren? What do they expect when the children hear these kinds of comments from them? They are the same children that come in Parliament and have youth debate. They are the same children who they expect better from and are quick to criticise...

"We cannot continue with having men and women in our Parliament, the highest court of law of the land, making these kinds of degrading and distasteful remarks."