ROWLEY, HINDS WANT ACTION AGAINST 3 UNC OFFICIALS

PRIME Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds are unhappy that embattled Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has not taken action against three prominent UNC officials. 

Rowley and Hinds wanted Griffith to pursue allegations made before a parliamentary Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security. 

The JSC’s report, which was presented to Parliament in February 2020, is rife with claims of links with underworld operatives. 

The allegations came in the form of testimony, and were not substantiated by thorough police investigations. 

Rowley and Hinds wanted a proper probe, and possible police action. 

The main allegations were made by Stuart Young, who at that time was Minister of National Security, and is a politician in opposition to the UNC. 

Young pointed fingers at four named UNC figures, who are also legislators. 

He made allegations of a planned meeting with gang leaders being aborted after word of police surveillance was leaked. 

There were also claims of a politician paying a bill for certain underworld figures at a city hotel. 

Young contended that there were other meetings among the parties over a period of time. 

According to the JSC report, there was an official explanation to Griffith on the purpose of the meetings. 

There were allegations of a meeting involving another UNC operative at an Islamic mosque at Carapo, off Arima. 

It was claimed that the party person wanted the Muslim figure to contest a certain national election. 

The JSC report made claims of links involving someone who is currently in prison for murder and is considered to be notorious behind bars. 

Further claims pertain to alleged telephone calls from behind prison walls to the politician. 

There were assertions concerning another political figure and ties to an alleged Muslim criminal faction. 

The parliamentary committee was told that a certain person of interest was seen at political meetings wearing a UNC shirt. 

Claims were that the man was involved in political canvassing, including walkabouts, in a north-eastern electoral constituency. 

A certain female politician was accused of being affiliated with gangsters. 

The allegations documented in the JSC report have emerged as a hot potato in political and law enforcement circles as the Rowley Government is dealing with the current vacancy of Police Commissioner. 

Senior Government ministers wanted the Young declarations to be taken to their logical conclusions. 

Rowley also has a report prepared by a retired High Court judge on an alleged gun licensing racket. 

When the JSC report was tabled and at other times, UNC officials denied allegations of ties to wrongdoers, and have accused the Government of being engaged in a political witch-hunt. 

But now it appears that the documented unproven Young testimony could play a crucial role in the filling of the post of Commissioner of Police. 

The Government has engaged in a media propaganda campaign against incumbent Griffith.