The People’s National Movement (PNM) says it will refrain from commenting on reports that Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates assisted a key witness she was tasked with examining during a meeting of the Public Accounts and Administration Committee (PAAC).
That witness was former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh, and it is alleged that John-Bates assisted in drafting his statement for submission to the committee.
As a result on Monday, the PAAC adjourned its meeting to resume its enquiry into “The State’s Acquisition of Pharmaceuticals as it Relates to the Current Processes Applicable to its Importation and Approval”.
Deyalsingh is a key witness in the matter.
Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales gave the party’s position on the issue during a news conference at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Charles Street, Port of Spain, yesterday.
Also in attendance were members of Parliament for Diego Martin Central, Symon de Nobriga, and Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West, Stuart Young.
Gonzales, who is also the MP for Arouca/Lopinot, said: “The Public Accounts Committee is an ongoing Joint Select Committee that is looking into some parts of governance in Trinidad and Tobago in the pharmaceutical industry.
“As a member of Parliament and as a member of the public, we are not authorised to speak on matters that are currently engaging or matters that may have occurred in an ongoing Joint Select Committee.”
He also said that he had no information on the matter apart from what he read in a daily newspaper, adding that it “is a matter that occurred ‘in camera’ (in private). We do not have access as I am not a member of the Joint Select Committee; we do not have access to in camera proceedings.”
Additionally, he said members of the Joint Select Committee are prohibited by Standing Orders of the Parliament from commenting on matters before it where matters are in camera.
Gonzales continued: “What I have read in the newspapers as to what transpired, I would imagine that it is something that allegedly occurred maybe a day or two days ago, and we do not have access at this point in time to all of the information pertaining to this particular matter.
“We have to be very careful that whatever we do and whatever we say, we don’t breach the Standing Orders of Parliament and be found in contempt of the Standing Order.
“Once all of the information comes to hand in the appropriate manner, the PNM will take whatever appropriate action that is necessary in the circumstances.”
