Trinidad & Tobago PM Says Rowley Sacked For Bad Behavior

 

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Prime Minister Patrick Manning explained that he fired Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, because of his atrocious behavior at a recent meeting of a Cabinet sub-committee and not because of any political vindictiveness.

Manning called a press conference to explain his decision a day after Rowley’s dismissal was announced in a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, without a stated reason. He told reporters that Rowley's behaviour came to his attention last Thursday when he learned that he had gone on a tirade at a meeting with officials of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDECOTT) two Mondays ago.

Manning said while he was out of the country at the time, he had spoken to five Cabinet ministers about Rowley’s conduct.

"One Minister’s comment was that Mr. Rowley was totally out of line, his attitude was uncalled for and his attitude was unbecoming of a senior Cabinet Minister. The second Minister felt that it was wajank behavior…a third minister described it as hooligan behavior, the fourth Minister described it as unacceptable behaviour and the fifth minister said ‘I took no offence’," Manning said at a post-Cabinet press conference.

He added that Rowley’s behavior was worse than that of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday in Parliament last month when he refused to comply with the order of Speaker of the House, Barry Sinanan, to stop using his laptop during the sitting because he was not granted permission.

Manning added that he had asked Rowley to resign, but he refused and as prime minister he therefore had to take the next step and ask President George Maxwell Richards revoke his appointment.

The Trinidad leader, who insisted that he had nothing personal against the former Minister, also insisted that Rowley’s dismissal had nothing to do with his performance.

Meanwhile, Panday has called for a Commission of Inquiry to be set up into UDECOTT.

Rowley claimed he was fired last week Wednesday after he demanded Cabinet oversight for the Corporation which is managing several mega Government projects.

He has insisted he will serve his full five-year term as the People’s National Movement (PNM) Member of Parliament for Diego Martin West.

 

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