A woman who claimed she was attacked by her former husband with a seven-inch knife refused to testify against him yesterday because she depended on him for financial help to support their son. Tricia Anthony, 25, received injuries across her throat and lost use of her fingers to her right hand during an incident in 2009. She also sustained lacerations to her chest.

As she took the witness stand to testify against Trevor Creft, who is charged with attempting to murder her, the woman said she no longer wished to pursue the matter. Justice Maria Wilson, sitting the San Fernando Third Criminal Court, told the witness that was not her decision to make and subsequently deemed Anthony a hostile witness.

Anthony insisted she could not recall the incident on June 19, 2009 in which she was injured. Even when State attorney Mauricia Joseph showed her and read her evidence from the testimony she had given at the Siparia Magistrates’ Court during the preliminary inquiry into the matter and her statement to the police, Anthony insisted she could not remember.

She admitted one of the reasons she did not want to continue with the matter was because she depended on Creft for support for their son financially and otherwise. Anthony receives a disability grant because of the injury to her right hand which left her unable to move her fingers. In her evidence, Anthony admitted she left Creft and moved in with her mother. 

However, she could not recall saying that Creft was abusive and would hit her. She also said she could not recall that on the day of the incident Creft came to her mother’s house to get $100. In the magistrates’ court, Anthony had testified when she went to give him the money Creft attacked her with a seven-inch knife. She claimed she grabbed the knife, he pulled it away and tried to cut her neck. 

Anthony had said he held her in a chokehold and tried to stab her in her chest. She said she also got a vertical cut on her throat. Anthony said all she could remember before blacking out was the knife going through  her neck. She spent two weeks at hospital. She was asked by Joseph to show the jury the scars to her neck which she did.

Anthony was cross examined by Creft’s attorney Herbert Charles. The matter will continue tomorrow.

Forty minutes after Seeta Boodram gave birth to her first child she died and baby Kyle was left in the care of his devastated father, Terrence Boodram. Boodram, an offshore chef, was married to Seeta for four years and still very much in love and was so traumatised by her sudden and tragic death he did not want to live anymore.

But his son gave him the reason to live, he said. Out of pain and tragedy was formed a bond between father and son so deep that today, 13 years later, they are inseparable.

Boodram, who has a black belt in martial arts and is the brother of former head of the National Operations Centre, retired major, Sarwan Boodram, gave up his job with Amoco and became a school bus driver so he could be with Kyle at all times. He said he would carry three-month old Kyle to work with him when he went to drop off and pick up schoolchildren because he had no one to take care of him.

Kyle, strapped into the middle front seat next to him, became a fixture on the school bus. Boodram said when he took his baby to the health clinic, he would be the only man in a roomful of women and they nicknamed him, Mr Mom. He devoted all his time and attention to his son’s upbringing, showering him with all the love and care he could give and his efforts were rewarded.

Kyle, always at the head of the class at Charlieville Presbyterian Primary he attended near his home, emerged as the top student in his school in the last Secondary Entrance Assessment examination, passing for Queen’s Royal College. At 13, he also has a brown belt in martial arts, one level below a black belt. “He has a lot of drive. I think he tries his best to please me.”

But the road wasn’t an easy one. Recalling the tragic start, Boodram said on January 20, 2003 his wife, 35 at the time, told him she would travel to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital to make her baby, that she was fine. 

“Around that time, doctors were on strike and I remember seeing a lot of blood on the delivery table around her.

“She died 40 minutes after she gave birth to Kyle and the pathologist’s report later described it as an ‘unexplained maternal death.’”

Boodram is convinced his wife died due to negligence. 

“I was a total wreck. My world came crashing down. Our child was not my main focus at that time and for three weeks was suicidal. I didn’t try to kill myself but I didn’t mind dying.

“Eventually, I got  hold of myself and saw a reason to live, Kyle. I knew I had a responsibility to give him a good life and ensure he would be able to stand on his own two feet.”

Boodram said he quit his job to take care of the new-born baby. His grandmother, Girlie, helped me for a while, showing me the rituals, like how to massage him with oil and other things.” He took up Seeta’s job as a school bus driver to give him more flexibility with his time.

“When Kyle was three months, I started carrying him with me on the bus. When I took him to clinic the first year, I would be the only man sitting with my baby among all the women. 

“They called me Mr Mom. When Kyle started pre-school, I spent the first day with him.” 

Now, while his son is at QRC, Boodram cooks lunch so he will have a good meal when he comes home. In a photo album, Boodram carefully recorded his son’s 13-year history, from birthdays, to riding his first tricycle, to his first day at school. 

“You see how that dog mauled that baby to death?” he said, referring to a recent incident in his neighbourhood, I never left Kyle alone when he was riding his tricycle outside. I was always nearby watching over him.”

And as early as possible, Boodram told his son the truth about his mother and what she was like. 

“He just listens quietly. He does not seem affected by her absence but once when he was little he asked me to buy a mom for him the next time I go to the grocery.” 

Boodram is grateful he never fell sick over the last 13 years. God is the source of my health. And He has used Kyle to bring joy and healing in my life.”

The police arrested a 36-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman for possession of approximately $2 million worth of marijuana in Longdenville.

At about 2.30 am the Arouca CID and the Arouca task force arrived at a Longdenville apartment. 

The couple refused to open the door, so they were forced to break the door down. 

When they entered the apartment, they found more than 100 blocks of compressed high grade marijuana which weighed approximately 150 lbs in boxes in a bedroom. The police estimate that the haul was worth approximately $2 million. 

They arrested a 36-year old man from Enterprise, Chaguanas and a 19-year-old woman from St James.

Investigations continue. 

She’s out. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday fired Marlene McDonald from the post of Minister of Housing and Urban Development, revoking her appointment and making several other shifts within his Cabinet at the same time.

These include increasing the portfolios of Ministers Maxie Cuffie and Stuart Young. 

McDonald’s dismissal, however, six months into the new Government’s term, has made her the first minister of the Rowley People’s National Movement (PNM) administration to be removed. She has been replaced by Randall Mitchell, who formerly held the post of Public Administration Minister.

McDonald, one of the ruling PNM’s three deputy leaders, remains Port-of-Spain South MP—but will from today shift from the Government’s front bench in Parliament to the backbench, PNM officials said last night.

The T&T Guardian learned that McDonald was informed of the situation after yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting (which she attended). Government finalised documents revoking her appointment yesterday afternoon. 

President Anthony Carmona, acting in accordance with the Prime Minister’s advice, later revoked McDonald’s appointment as Housing Minister.

In a statement last night, Government announced the changes to the Cabinet which were made following McDonald’s dismissal.

With Mitchell replacing McDonald in Housing, his former Public Administration portfolio has been added to Cuffie’s Communication responsibilities. Cuffie will now be Minister of Public Administration and Communication. Young has been assigned as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, in addition to his current portfolio as Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General, where he serves alongside Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi.

There had been hints following yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing that action against McDonald was imminent.

Rowley moved against McDonald —one of his very few senior ministers—following Wednesday’s news report on alleged breach of Parliament rules and claims that McDonald’s common-law spouse Michael Carew and his brother Lennox were hired among 13 members of her constituency office over several years in the last term.

It was reported that Michael Carew worked at the office from June 2010 to September 2015, earning the second highest salary of $13,400 monthly for the entire constituency term, while his brother has been working at the office since 2011 and received $14,000 in salary. 

But according to the Parliament’s 2010-2015 (Tenth Parliament) manual on rules for engagement of constituency staff, MPs are restricted from employing relatives as employees in their constituency offices and such relatives are described as (a) spouses, (b) co-habitants, (c) children/step children/adopted children/grandchildren, (d) parents, step parents/grandparents, (e) siblings, (nephews/nieces), (f) uncles/aunts, (g) cousins. The 2015-2020 (11th Parliament) manual also states MPs aren’t allowed to hire relatives at their constituency offices.

Fixin’ T&T boss Kirk Waithe reported the allegations to the police and Director of Public Prosecutions.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday called for Rowley to fire McDonald, noting he had evidence of breach of the Integrity in Public Life legislation pertaining to use of public office for the benefit of the MP and her family. 

Persad-Bissessar claimed similar breaches occurred concerning other allegations against McDonald, including the issue of the Calabar Foundation which Michael Carew reportedly headed and McDonald’s alleged involvement in securing a Housing Development Corporation house for Carew at Fidelis Heights in 2008 when she was in the Manning Government. Both matters were referred to the Integrity Commission by UNC Senator Wayne Sturge and Fixin’ T&T.

On Wednesday night, Rowley said he’d noted fresh information concerning the allegations of the Carew brothers and wouldn’t ignore it. 

The T&T Guardian learned various PNMites subsequently sent letters to the leadership on the issue yesterday. After McDonald was informed of her removal yesterday, she went to her PoS South constituency office to speak to supporters and was greeted by members, the T&T Guardian was told. 

McDonald briefly answered a call last night before the phone cut off. Subsequent calls continued cutting off as McDonald said she was “going over the hill”.

Commenting on the decision last night, Opposition Senator Sturge, who’d sent complaints on McDonald to the Integrity Commission, said, “As one human being to another I feel sorry for her. This was never about her, it was much more about PNM culture and much more about the integrity of the leader. The evidence on Calabar and Fidelis was much more and therefore he should have acted much earlier.”

In the PNM, the T&T Guardian was also told while some members strongly supported the dismissal, there were others who didn’t want McDonald removed. However, it understood some members also want her to step down as deputy leader as well.

Marlene McDonald was first elected to the House of Representatives as the PNM’s Member for Port-of-Spain South on November 5, 2007. She was chosen as the candidate by the Patrick Manning leadership, replacing Port-of-Spain South MP Eric Williams. 

McDonald was later appointed PNM deputy leader. Under the Manning adminstration she was Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.

She was among the 12 PNM MPs who retained their seats in the May 2010 general election when the People’s Partnership defeated the PNM.  She was later chosen by new leader Dr Keith Rowley as the PNM Opposition’s Whip for the 2010-2015 term.

In fact, she was among the first wave of PNM candidates chosen to contest the September 7, 2015 general election and was one of only four incumbents retained to do so.

Four days after PNM’s victory in the September 7 election — and winning her seat — McDonald was sworn in as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

Months into the new term, however, allegations were broken by the Sunday Guardian last year concerning the non-profit Calabar Foundation entity and alleged involvement of McDonald’s close relative during her time in the Manning administration.

The Sunday Guardian chronicled an Integrity Commission examination of the Calabar issue, allegedly concerning monies donated to the foundation, the Waterwheel Foundation and McEachrane Rental and Transport. 

It was alleged that a relative of McDonald’s was listed and paid as a ministerial driver, though he wasn’t resident in T&T at the time of the contract.

Calabar Foundation listed McDonald’s common-law husband Michael Carew, his brother, Lennox Carew, and Victor McEachrane among directors. 

It was reported McEachrane was also the owner of McEachrane Transport and Rentals, which allegedly received million-dollar contracts for the construction of community centres under McDonald’s tenure.

In December, she denied knowing her common-law husband was involved in Calabar and later denied knowledge of the foundation. 

The Sunday Guardian reported that in 2009, McDonald granted same day approval of a $65,000 payment to Calabar Foundation for the hosting of a Christmas/End-of-Year function for senior citizens in the La Brea/Point Fortin area. The foundation didn’t have a registered office then but carried a PO Box in Arima and a mobile phone contact. That letter requested $75,000. 

McDonald maintained innocence. It was reported she had already faced allegations of breaches to the Integrity in Public Life Act (ILPA) but was cleared by the commission in December 2013.

When the second issue arose in January 2015 — McDonald’s alleged abuse of office concerning assistance to get a Housing Development Corporation house at Fidelis Heights in 2008 for a close relative — she described it as a “red herring”. 

But she later admitted that in 2007 (as Community Development Minister in the Manning administration) she had enquired after the status of an application to purchase State housing on behalf of someone with whom she had a “personal relationship.”

Both the Calabar and HDC house issues were sent to the Integrity Commission for probe by the Opposition and Fixin’ T&T.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which concluded its latest mission to T&T on Tuesday, said the economy was confronting a major shock as a result of the sharp fall in energy prices but was not in crisis.

The team, headed by Elie Canetti, which conducted its annual Article IV consultation from March 3-15, is projecting a one per cent drop in gross domestic product (GDP) this year as a result of job losses and supply-side constraints in the energy sector.

“In addition, declines in energy-based revenues will constrain the Government’s ability to act as an engine of growth,” Canetti said in his report on the mission’s findings. 

“Beyond 2016, new energy projects will modestly boost energy production, while non-energy growth could start to recover, provided there is confidence in the country’s ability to navigate the harsher global environment.”

The IMF said T&T still has enormous strengths, including a well-educated work force and a stable political system but “taking into account the size of energy revenue windfalls, the country has under-saved and under-invested in its future.

“As a consequence, the imbalances that are now starting to build up could lead the country to uncomfortable levels of debt.”

The agency noted the “difficult but necessary steps” taken by Government since assuming office six months ago, including widening the VAT tax base, cutting fuel subsidies, reducing the number of ministries and instituting spending cuts. 

It is projecting a budget deficit of 11 per cent of GDP for the 2016 fiscal year and has recommended that the projected deficits be addressed through “further fiscal consolidation, of approximately six per cent of GDP over the next few years.

The IMF noted plans for improving tax collections with the help of a unified revenue authority, increasing gaming taxes and reintroducing of the Property Tax but said there was scope to widen the VAT base and increase excise taxes, which are low by the region’s standards. 

“The Government has agreed to conduct a wide-ranging expenditure review and will seek the assistance of the World Bank to rationalise and reverse the unsustainable increases in spending on transfers and subsidies over the last several years,” the report continued.

“We support the Government’s intent to conduct a national dialogue on fuel subsidies with a view to phasing them out over time and to review the CEPEP and URP Government employment schemes and the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) programme to make them more cost-efficient. Reducing such expenditures would also leave room for a needed reorientation towards development spending,” it added.

Noting foreign exchange shortages that have intensified since the beginning of 2015, with sharp falls in energy prices further reducing available supply, the IMF estimates a deficit on the current account of the balance of payments of more than five per cent of GDP for 2015. 

The agency forecasts that the deficits will continue at a reduced level of two–three per cent of GDP and said the modest pace of depreciation should help to improve the current account. 

The agency said while T&T’s financial system remained sound, some reform legislation had been lagging and structural reforms were key to unlocking the country’s growth and diversification potential. 

“The Government has initiated a much needed review of GATE, which we trust will better focus the educational system. Procurement reform, a key Government priority, is needed to assure contractors of an even playing field and reduce perceptions of corruption. 

“The Government has also made a strong start on the urgent need to reform the country’s statistics agency, with a view to turning it into a strong and independent National Statistical Institute,” it added.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a fifth case of the Zika virus in T&T.

The ministry, in consultation with the Caribbean Public Health Agency, stated the case was in the area of D’Abadie.

The patient, a 47-year-old woman, was treated at the Arima Health Facility after presenting symptoms of joint pains and conjunctivitis (red eye).

In a statement yesterday, the ministry stated there were no confirmed cases in Tobago. 

The Insect Vector Control Division and the County Medical Officer of Health have been informed of the new case and field work has begun. The previous cases were reported in Victoria Gardens, Gulf View and Tunapuna.

The ministry urged citizens to dispose of all unwanted containers/items in their yards or environs which could collect water and become mosquito breeding grounds and take other measures to eradicate and reduce mosquito breeding in their areas. The virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. (GA)

Government will be reviewing the practice of State corporation chairmen serving on other boards and receiving multiple stipends, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday.

His comment at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, followed criticism by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar about such a situation concerning National Gas Company (NGC) chairman Gerry Brooks.

In Parliament, three weeks ago Government revealed Brooks heads eight other NGC subsidiaries. On Wednesday, Persad-Bissessar also noted that Brooks is heading “11 or 12” boards of the Rowley Government. 

Persad-Bissessar expressed concern at one person serving on so many boards and being in charge of over $40-plus billion worth  of taxpayers’ assets. She said such multiple directorships could earn a person as much as $100,000 a month plus travelling/utility and other allowances.

At yesterday’s briefing Imbert said the practice of State board chairmen serving on other boards had been done over the past 20 years, including under the People’s Partnership and the Opposition Leader should have known that. 

He said the previous NGC chairman was also on the boards of other energy subsidiaries which he did not name. However, Imbert said Government would review the practice.

After he spoke, Persad-Bissessar told T&T Guardian: “It’s about time... we welcome such changes, having seen Mr Brooks serving on almost 12 boards.” 

Imbert maintained Government had felt it was important for Brooks to head other NGC companies due to NGC’s “condition” — doing the Waste Water and other projects — when the PNM took office.

Imbert also denied the Opposition’s claim that European Union funding for cane farmers was available. He said checks with the Finance Ministry yesterday confirmed funding had not arrived. 

He, however, added that he would speak to Persad-Bissessar about supporting legislation to regulate the gaming/gambling sector. Persad-Bissessar later told the T&T Guardian the Opposition would first have to see what the legislation involved before any commitment.

Regulation of the gaming sector and the return of the Property Tax were among items the IMF team, which visited T&T recently, noted  Government had recourse to, concerning revenue-raising. 

Imbert said the IMF gave Government “quite a favourable response” and the team stated T&T was not in a crisis and had substantial economic buffers. 

Imbert said an estimated $7 billion-$10 billion was spent on the gaming sector annually and Government projected collecting about $500 million under proposed regulation measures.

Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie announced that Caribbean New Media Group deputy chairman Timothy Affonso had been appointed to replace former chairman Helen Drayton who quit last month.

Almost a month after a woman was doused with acid and forced to drink some of the corrosive liquid, her attacker remains on the run.

On February 22, Rachel Chadee was attacked at her La Romaine home by a man with whom she had shared a close personal relationship. 

The man was armed with a knife, two bottles of acid, rope and rolls of duct tape.

He attacked Rachel, slashing her face with the knife, throwing the acid on her face and forcing her to swallow some of it.

Yesterday the victim’s mother, Leela, told the T&T Guardian her daughter had developed a lung infection at hospital and had not been able to speak since the attack.

“She has burns on her face, throat, back, belly...her back is the worst and she recently developed an infection in her lungs and she hasn't gotten back her voice yet.”

Rachel remains warded at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Leela said she was frustrated and tired of living in fear as the police still have not caught the man responsible.

Rachel’s three children — ages five, nine and 13 — remain at a safe house.

San Fernando police are investigating and have identified Ronald Bissoon as a person of interest in their investigation.

Three months after burying her last child, who died of natural causes, a 75-year-old woman yesterday will now have to bury another child, this time due to the escalating gun violence.

Speaking inaudibly at times and repeating that she had been in and out of the hospital since her daughter died, Cynthia Noriega said gunmen murdered her son, Terrance Roberts, and stole all his belongings, including his identification cards on Tuesday night. 

Noriega told reporters at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, her son was no criminal and did nothing to harm anyone. She said if anyone was in need he would have been the first to offer help. 

According to police reports, the Innovative security officer was at his home at Eastern Main Road, Tacarigua, around 9.30 pm Tuesday when residents heard gunshots. 

Police said they later found Roberts with gunshot wounds to the head, shoulder and left arm. His murder takes the toll to 102 for the year while for the same period last year there were 72 reported murders.

Also speaking with the media at the centre yesterday, Robert’s older sister, Cathy Roberts, described her brother as a sweetheart. 

She said six years after the family left Pashley Street, Laventille, which she re-christened “Blood Street” because of the number of people killed there, she was saddened that her brother met his death in a relatively safe neighbourhood.

“He wouldn’t talk to you everyday or every week or every month but when he did talk to you it was important. Last time we spoke was Carnival I think. A long conversation we had. 

“I don’t like how he dead. He died like if he was a gangster. Five bullets to his head. He was home, he was innocent, he doesn’t do anything,” Roberts added.

PSA president Watson Duke says public servants are demanding the payment of outstanding arrears by the new PNM Government.

He called a news conference to demand the workers be given their “pound of flesh with blood or we will take it with blood.”

The news conference was held yesterday at the PSA headquarters, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain.

Duke, who spoke in the presence of PSA members, said the Government had not as yet paid arrears to Regional Health Authority workers. 

He said workers at the Civil Aviation Authority, National Insurance Board, Agriculture Development Bank and Nipdec were trying to understand why in 2016 they were working for 2010 salaries.

According to Duke: “The Government seems to have no interest in settling those matters.”

He said the Government instead imposed 12.5 per cent Value Added Tax on 7,000 zero-rated items.

Duke said public servants felt they were under attack and they would fight back. He said the salaries of politicians were never paid late but the workers were being told to hold on.

He said there was expected to be an 18 per cent increase in the price of goods and services.

“This will be a war, maybe a war against the corporate society,” Duke added.

He said it was only the corporate sector which was benefiting under the new PNM Government, adding that no labour union can claim to have received any benefits. 

“We have not benefited at all but the business community has benefited,” he insisted.

Shouting at the news conference, Duke insisted: “It must stop now. Let us benefit now.”

Just hours after students set fire to the roof of the El Dorado East Secondary School, a student of the school caused panic at a restaurant on Caura junction.

Video now circulating on Facebook shows a male student standing at the door of a restaurant while other students go about their business inside.

The video, which came from three CCTV cameras, then shows the student throwing something into the establishment while students scampered for cover.

From one angle, the footage shows a small explosion, likely to be caused by a scratch bomb.

A cashier is also seen scampering, while the footage outside the establishment shows the male student running away.

El Dorado East Secondary is under close watch by the police and the Ministry of Education, as 31 students have been identified as displaying delinquent behaviour and causing disruptions to the normal proceedings at the school.

Arouca police are investigating.

Will she or won’t she?

Amid rising debate on whether dismissed minister Marlene McDonald should step down as PNM’s Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain South, a brief comment from McDonald yesterday seemed to hint she may not have that on her mind at the moment.

“That question doesn’t arise...” she said very briefly when asked by T&T Guardian about stepping down.

The phone then clicked off.

Following on the heels of the prime minister’s revocation of McDonald’s ministerial portfolio on Thursday, debate arose yesterday on calls for and against her staying on as MP. 

Weighing in on the matter were her former rivals for the Port-of-Spain South candidacy in the 2015 election, former mayor Louis Lee Sing and former councillor Isha Wells. The former called for her to step down, but the latter said she should not.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley on Thursday revoked McDonald’s ministerial appointment following a third set of allegations against her. The latest claim involved alleged breach of parliamentary rules based on allegations that McDonald’s common-law spouse Michael Carew was hired among 13 members of her constituency office over the last term.

It was further alleged that Carew’s brother, Lennox, also worked at McDonald’s Port-of-Spain South office at one period during the last term, and both men commanded high salaries of over $10,000. The matter has been sent by the Fixin T&T group to the police and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation. 

Two other sets of allegations against McDonald—regarding periods when she served during the previous Manning PNM administration—and also concerning her common-law spouse are before the Integrity Commission as well.

McDonald was somewhat terse in brief comments to T&T Guardian, but otherwise seemed in good spirits. 

Family sources said she went to the doctor yesterday.

Following the dismissal, McDonald didn’t show up for yesterday’s parliament session, although a new seat was ready and waiting for her on the government’s backbench—well away from her former frontbench seat close to the Prime Minister.

Her original frontbench seat was changed to the third seat from the end of the government’s backbench.

Her new seat is among non-cabinet members including Laventille East MP Adrian Leonce, Moruga MP Lovell Francis and Toco/Sangre Grande MP Glenda Jennings-Smith.

Following two other Cabinet realignments which the Prime Minister also made when he removed McDonald, MP San Fernando East MP Randall Mitchell, who replaces McDonald in Housing, was shifted from the backbench to the government frontbench.

Minister in Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office, Stuart Young (Port-of-Spain North MP), whose portfolio was expanded to include serving in the Prime Minister’s office, has also been moved up several seats on the Government front row. He now sits where McDonald once sat, close to the PM.

Prior to yesterday’s parliament session, PNM chairman Franklin Khan, responding to media queries on whether McDonald would be replaced as PNM deputy leader or if she would be retaining the Port-of-Spain South seat, said he would reserve comment for after today’s PNM general council meeting. 

He maintained that line when asked his personal view on the removal. Khan said the dismissal was the prime minister’s call.

Other PNM officials said the McDonald issue would be aired at today’s meeting.

Opposition MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh told reporters that due to the circumstances of McDonald’s issues, she should “do the right thing and step down as MP.” He said the Opposition would call for her to do so.

His opposition colleague Dr Fuad Khan, however, said he didn’t see anything wrong with McDonald hiring her relatives.

Khan added, “I’m not giving you a politically correct reply, I’m giving you an honest reply—if her relatives were qualified, why should she discriminate against them and not hire them in the constituency office? Suppose she could not get the suitably qualified people?”

Khan said he hadn’t hired relatives at his office. But he said the Prime Minister had pandered to public outcry in dismissing McDonald “...the same as was done with former Port-of-Spain mayor Raymond Tim Kee.”

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, who said McDonald’s removal was a disappointment for him, admitted he was saddened by the situation since he had great affection for her. “My heart goes out to her,” he added.

Al-Rawi maintained the PM had acted “decisively” and that action reinforced what he’d said during elections about wrongdoing.

On whether the PNM might suffer a backlash from McDonald’s Port-of-Spain South constituency, Al-Rawi said McDonald had a very good reputation and he was sure she’d discharge her duties as MP. He said people had gone to the backbench before and continued to function as good MPs and he was sure she would also.

PNM officials, however, said McDonald’s future as PNM deputy leader is in Rowley’s hands since he is the one who appoints the party’s three deputies. 

The other two deputies are Rohan Sinanan and Tobago leader Orville London.

Allegations surfaced last night that two relatives of former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar are employed at her Penal constituency office.

The news came last night in a CNC3 report, two days after the firing of MP Marlene McDonald as housing minister by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Thursday.

McDonald was axed for hiring her common-law husband Michael Carew and brother-in-law Lennox Carew at her Port-of-Spain South constituency office, a move that is in breach of the parliamentary regulations.

CNC3 stated that they were reliably informed that a cousin and niece of Persad-Bissessar were employees at her office.

However, CNC3 could not ascertain how long the two family members were employed there.

The relatives were not available when CNC3 telephoned the office yesterday.

CNC3 stated that they were told that the matter was raised with Persad-Bissessar who has since written to the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

According to the Integrity in Public Life Act, a person shall not use his office for the improper advancement of his own or his family’s personal or financial interest.

The Independent Liberal Party said Persad-Bissessar should follow the precedent set, and resign as Opposition Leader and MP for Siparia.

Persad-Bissessar did not respond to a text message last night.

While former PNM Port-of-Spain South nominee Louis Lee Sing insists dismissed minister Marlene McDonald should step down as the area’s MP—and a by-election be held—another former nominee Isha Wells doesn’t believe McDonald should do so.

PNM leadership officials were mum yesterday on whether McDonald—who was sacked as a minister on Thursday amid three allegations concerning breach of proper conduct—would continue as PNM deputy leader or Port-of-Spain South MP. The overall issue is expected to be discussed at today’s general council meeting at Balisier House.

After serving as deputy political leader under the Manning administration she was retained as deputy by the Rowley administration and retained as Port-of-Spain South candidate by the PNM’s screening team in 2015.

PNM chairman Franklin Khan didn’t answer calls or texts on the issue. Vice chairman Colm Imbert had “no comment,” while General Secretary Ashton Ford said, “I can’t comment on anything. The political leader is the only one who appoints deputies.”

But Lee Sing, commenting on McDonald’s dismissal, said, “It’s a start for the way we’ve started to treat with criminality in a serious way. But it’s too little, too late for the Prime Minister.

“There are a number of questions to be asked including when did he know of the information on which he acted. While the information might be new to some quarters, it’s not new to the PNM leadership as I and two others—separately and collectively—made this information available to the leadership as early as 2014.”

Lee Sing added, “Why did the entire leadership ignore this information and bring to bear a burden on the PNM as it did? The PNM is in government six months and already it has to shed weight. This is an indication the leadership might not have been as cautious, serious, committed or discerning as leaders ought to be in putting together a parliament team. It might have been they were driven by loyalty to leader, rather than country.

“I’m not taking the position that Ms McDonald should remain in the Parliament at all. I strongly feel on the basis of the evidence presented she cannot be trusted to represent Port-of-Spain South.”

Calling for a by-election, Lee Sing, however, said he didn’t think he would contest if there was one.

Former PNM Youth officer Dane Wilson said McDonald will have to decide if she stays as MP or steps down. “She was elected for five years, so she’ll have to examine that.

Wells, a 2015 Port-of-Spain South nominee, lives in the constituency. While she supported the dismissal of McDonald, she added, “The calls for McDonald to be removed as MP aren’t justified. She’s a hardworking MP; it’s unfortunate this had to happen.

“We in Port-of-Spain South are now left without any voice in Cabinet and no feeling of hope. Residents need housing badly and she, as the housing minister, could have done a lot for her area more than any others.”

Wells, a radio show host, said she wouldn’t contest any by-election since she’d transitioned away from politics, but might return when the time is right.

Checks being made at other 40 MPs’ offices

Fixin’ T&T has now requested information on the staff salaries and positions of people employed at the other 40 constituencies apart from Port-of-Spain South where sacked minister Marlene McDonald is MP.

Fixin T&T had written the police and Director of Public Prosecutions about McDonald’s alleged breach of parliament rules and allegations she hired her common-law spouse and his brother to work in her constituency office last parliamentary term at salaries above $10,000 each. 

Parliament pays the expenses of MPs’ constituency offices and its rules forbid the hiring of such relatives.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley said he’d seen “something frightening” in the new information and had spoken to McDonald. He signalled Wednesday he would act “shortly.” 

He fired her the next day. 

Fixin T&T yesterday commended Rowley, calling for implementation of procurement law and for the DPP to be adequately resourced.

Eight years after he joined the PNM, attorney Randall Mitchell has already replaced two of the PNM’s biggest stalwarts and is now holding one of the top frontline ministerial portfolios in T&T- the Ministry of Housing.

Despite his brief political career, Mitchell remains confident that he has the skills to juggle both his constituency and the housing ministry.

In an interview yesterday, Mitchell said he was very grateful to Prime Minister Keith Rowley for the chance to serve T&T. 

“I feel I have earned his confidence. What is most important at this time is the people of T&T and the implementation of a housing policy,” Mitchell said.

Asked what he planned to do to revolutionise housing in T&T, Mitchell said he has not yet been fully briefed about the housing portfolio but will make a statement on this next week.

Praising his predecessor, Mitchell said, “Ms McDonald laid an incredible foundation so I will follow on with our housing policy which the Prime Minister has enunciated.”

Asked whether he anticipated problems in juggling his constituency obligations and the ministry, Mitchell said he did not forsee any problems as his Public Administration ministry had more units than the Housing Ministry. Saying there is a huge demand for safe and affordable housing, Mitchell said the provision of improved housing will play a part in stimulating the economy.

The 36-year-old newcomer has replaced long serving PNMites. In 2015, Mitchell replaced former Prime Minister Patrick Manning when he was appointed as the PNM representative for San Fernando East constituency.

ReThink yesterday launched the Feed the Need for Happiness initiative by feeding between 50 and 100 Port-of-Spain street dwellers and hungry individuals with wholesome restaurant food that would have otherwise been discarded.

The idea, conceptualised by Ernie Ross, of Ross Advertising Ltd, is a way of meeting the needs of many who go hungry everyday, through a novel way practised in several parts of the world.

Yesterday, at 4.30 pm, the programme was launched in commemoration of United Nations International Day of Happiness, which is observed around the world on March 20.

A dozen employees of Ross Advertising distributed the food to the homeless and individuals in the capital city.

The meals packed in boxes by the restaurants were picked up by vans.

Executive creator/director of Ross Advertising, Marvin Imamshah, said six downtown restaurants have come on board to feed people in need of a meal.

Among them are Soho, El Pecos, Denny’s, Texas de Brazil and RuStreet.

Guardian Media Ltd has also agreed to publicise the initiative in the Trinidad Guardian, its radio stations and on CNC3.

Imamshah said they are optimistic that other restaurants, as well as supermarkets and food suppliers, will partner with them in a bid to expand the programme.

So far, Living Waters and Kids In Need of Direction (KIND) have agreed to give a helping hand.

Relatives of Eden Nekeisha Teesdale, whose headless corpse was found stuffed in a barrel near the Mitan River in Manzanilla, believe her gruesome murder could have been a crime of passion.

Teesdale, 26, of Embacadere, San Fernando, leaves behind three children—Amya Teesdale, aged five; Cmya Ash, aged three; and one-year-old Hezekiah Teesdale.

Describing Teesdale as “wild and beautiful,” cousin Aneesa Williams said they were dumbfounded when they got the news that she had been brutally hacked to death. 

“Who could be so heartless? What she do so that somebody would chop her up and stuff her down a barrel?” Williams cried after police informed the family that the body had been identified using fingerprints.

Teesdale had been employed as a cleaner at the Mt Hope Hospital.

She added that a week ago, Teesdale dropped off Hezekiah at the home of her aunt, Erica Williams, who had legal custody of Amya. Erica said she tried to call Teesdale on several occasions over the past few days but her phone was switched off. 

“We heard on the news that a woman’s body was found with a tattoo Leo and we knew she had that tattoo but we never expected that it would be her,” Erica said. 

She added that Teesdale was very attached to her son.

The second daughter lived with her father in Sangre Grande and had little contact with the family, Erica said. 

Teesdale’s brother Keron said he was never close with his sister and did not know her whereabouts. 

“She used to stay out all night and come back in the morning. She never told me anything about her life and I never told her anything about mine. She never talked to me about her problems,” Keron said. 

Up to late yesterday, police were still searching the river for Teesdale’s head. 

A statement from the police service said the remains of the body were identified through fingerprints obtained when Teesdale applied for a certificate of good character on July 21, 2012.

The dismembered body was found last Tuesday by a fisherman who saw a foot protruding from a barrel.

An autopsy will be done on the corpse at the Forensic Science Centre on Monday. 

Homicide officers are continuing investigations.

Security supervisor Max Martin should have been spending yesterday at home with his family, but reported for duty to fill in for an ill colleague and was shot dead by bandits.

Although police believe Martin, 46, of Roy Joseph Settlement, San Fernando, was shot dead during a robbery at H.B Rentals along Cedar Hill Road, Claxton Bay, his family believes it was a hit on his life.

Police said that around 1.50 am, the father of five and another officer were at the car rental company when two men stormed into the compound and held them up. 

Martin and the officer were tied up with duct tape while the men rummaged through the compound. 

However, Martin broke free, attempted to escape and was shot twice in the head. The men escaped with only a cellphone. Couva police responded and Martin was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he died while undergoing emergency treatment.

At his home yesterday, his sister Joan said his heart stopped and doctors gave him CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) twice. 

However, when it failed the third time, a doctor came out of the theatre and informed the family that he had not survived his wounds. 

According to his mother, Manelva, he left home a little before 6 pm, Thursday, and was late for work, but he was in good spirits. The next time she saw him, he was bleeding from head wounds in the hospital. 

She said, “The young man who worked with him that night said there was nothing in that place to thief. The fella said it appeared to be a hit. I feel it was a hit.”

The family believes the killing may be linked to a recent work dispute. 

A relative said Martin finished work on Thursday morning and yesterday was supposed to be his day off. However, his colleague fell ill while heading to work, went to the hospital and his boss called and told him to cover for the officer. 

The relative said Martin did not have a gun and believed if he had one it would have saved his life. 

The Homicide Region III Bureau is carrying out investigations.