PORT OF SPAIN – Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley says he is prepared to go to jail rather than comply with a request from the Integrity Commission that he submit documents within 14 days relatingto a matter dating back to 2004.
Rowley, addressing supporters at a public meeting in San Fernando, south of here on Sunday night, questioned the decision of the Integrity Commission to seek clarification on documents that had been the subject of a High Court ruling.
He said it was also interesting that the Integrity Commission, chaired by retired justice Zainool Hosein, had written him the letter soon after he publicly criticized the Commission and warned that it would be reformed if his People’s National Movement (PNM) wins the general election.
“So they don’t have information about the TT$400 million (One TT dollar)….for the Beetham water treatment plant, but they have enough time and information to go and ask me some stupidness about something I can’t understand or something that happened 11 years ago.”
Rowley said it was also strange that the Commission could not provide information on matters involving present and former ministers of the present government.
“Well let me tell Mr. Zainool Hosein something this evening. It is Sir Alexander Bustamante who said if a politician hasn’t been to jail he hasn’t been all over the country and if I have to go to jail as a result of not responding to you in 14 days, come I ready to go.”
Rowley made it clear that “between now and September 7, I am busy with the people’s business. I am busy putting this government out of office.
Rowley said he could simply respond to the request by indicating he has no idea what the Commission needs because the project in question is one being undertaken by his wife. (CMC)