PORT OF SPAIN – The People’s Partnership Government is less than four years old, but an 11th minister is set to be fired.
Last night, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asked President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh.
In taking action on the minister, Persad-Bissessar said there must be no compromise on integrity and no allowance for arrogance in her Government.
Her action comes 11 days after the Trinidad Express exclusively reported in a story by investigative journalist Denyse Renne that police were investigating a report of disorderly behaviour by Ramadharsingh on board a domestic flight from Tobago to Trinidad on March 16.
Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) flight attendant Ronelle Laidlow, 25, filed a complaint that the minister’s hand touched her breast when he reached for her ID badge, which was pinned to her blouse, and threatened to have her fired.
Two official reports were made by the flight attendant – to the security department of the Airports Authority of T&T (AATT) and the Piarco police sub-station.
Ramadharsingh subsequently apologised for his behaviour saying he was suffering from “severe fatigue” but denied touching Laidlow or threatened to have her fired.
Persad-Bissessar was out of the country, attending a funeral in Florida, when the incident was reported.
Ramadharsingh is the 11th minister to be dismissed, while a 12th, Jack Warner left amidst allegations of financial impropriety, following the CONCACAF Ethics Committee report.
In May 2011, Mary King became the first minister to be dismissed in this government, following allegations of conflict of interest in the award of a contract. (Trinidad Express)
