Caption: MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West Stuart Young. AZP News/Alicia Chamely
By Alicia Chamely
PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar must abide by the nation’s Constitution laws and provide all information relating to her allegations of “horsetrading” for votes against two Independent Senators to President Christine Kangaloo.
Member of Parliament for Port of Spain North/St. Ann’s West Stuart Young, in a social media post on Friday, noted Section 81 of the constitution, demands the Prime Minister provide the President with all information concerning the conduct of the government.
Section 81 of the Constitution states:
The Prime Minister shall keep the President fully informed concerning the general conduct of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and shall furnish the President with such information as he may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
In his post, Young wrote, “The Prime Minister has informed the world that she has evidence of criminal acts carried out by three Senators (all appointed under the Constitution). Two Independent Senators and one Government Senator.”
“This information articulated by the Prime Minister, who is Senior Counsel and has pledged to uphold the Constitution, must be provided to Her Excellency the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago forthwith (if it has not already been so provided),” he added.
Young stated, likewise, with the Prime Minister voicing allegations of misconduct by members of the Senate, the President was mandated to write to the Prime Minister requesting all information surrounding the allegations against the two Independent Senators, in accordance with the Constitution.
He said the failure of both the Prime Minister and President to lawfully address these allegations would be seen as a breach of the Constitution, which both had sworn to uphold.
Young stated, “This matter of conversations amongst Senators amounting to “horsetrading” for voting support on the ZOSO Bill that has been raised by the Prime Minister is illegal and is eroding the trust and confidence in the Parliament; it cannot be allowed to simply rest.”
Adding, “The Constitution is clear and any deviation from the above would be a breach of the Constitution.”
In an explosive Facebook post on January 28, after the Zones of Special Operation Bill failed, Persad-Bissessar accused two Independent Senators of approaching a United National Congress (UNC) for “favours” for their votes.
She wrote, “I fully expected the President’s Senators to vote against the Law Reform (ZOSO) Bill, 2026. During the debate, two of the President’s Senators approached a senior Government Senator seeking personal favours in exchange for support and for securing the remaining votes needed for passage. Those requests were rejected. From that moment, it was clear the Bill would not pass.”
“They know who they are. They must live with that shame,” she added.
All nine Independent Senators denied the allegation and the Prime Minister had been called upon by the Opposition and other civil groups to reveal the names of the Senators involved.
