64 sign Red House condolence book for Khan

AS of Thursday afternoon, some 64 well-wishers, including the Head of State and the Chief Justice (CJ), had so far signed the condolence book for the late Franklin Khan, energy minister and leader of government business in the Senate.

The book was opened on Wednesday at the Red House rotunda in memory of Khan, who died last Saturday, reportedly of a heart attack.

When Newsday visited on Thursday, the book rested on a glass podium which also held a bouquet of flowers, while a photo of Khan was displayed on a nearby desk.

In the 15 minutes that Newsday visited on Thursday, two people signed, apparently a parliamentary employee and a member of the public.

Most comments seemed to state simply "Rest in peace," perhaps constrained by space limitations on the page.

Parliament corporate communications manager Colleen Holder told Newsday the book will be ultimately presented to Khan's widow, Laura Sewlal-Khan. She said those signing so far included President Paula-Mae Weekes, CJ Ivor Archie, Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and Senate President Christine Kangaloo.

Senators, former parliamentarians, Parliament staff and diplomats had also signed, she said, but few if any elected MPs.

Parliament has invited members of the public to sign the book between 8 am and 6 pm, entering the Red House rotunda from Abercromby Street. Covid19 protocols were in place, Parliament advised.

"Once the period for signing is done, we'd give the book to Mr Khan's wife. Normally we would close the book probably the day before the funeral, but we don't know when the funeral is yet, so it is open until further notice," Holder said. She recalled that at the deaths of former presidents Arthur NR Robinson and George Maxwell "Max" Richards, their condolence books were sent respectively to Robinson's daughter and Richards' widow. "This is a private memento to the family," she said.

"We have had MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the public. Her Excellency of course signed yesterday. We've had from the top to the bottom signing."