By Sue-Ann Wayow
ATTORNEY General Faris Al-Rawi says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar should be “mortally afraid” by investigations being conducted by United Kingdom authorities instead of attempting to cast blame and aspersions.
The Budget debate on Friday started off with Persad-Bissessar’s reply to the presentation of Finance Minister Com Imbert on Monday.
The Opposition Leader mentioned that she had written to the UK’s Attorney General Suella Braverman on an issue involving a Trinidad and Tobago national and a British citizen to which she received a response this week.
In his contribution, Al- Rawi said, “I wish to inform publicly today, that I had cause to write the Attorney General of the United Kingdom, the Honourable Suella Braverman, QC, MP in relation to whistleblowing testimony provided to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in relation to criminal proceedings in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and in relation to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
“I have had cause to tell the Attorney General of the United Kingdom of the details of the cooperation of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and my office as Attorney General and my hand as Attorney General in working with the national crime agency and the Crown prosecution services of the United Kingdom.”
The Attorney General said, “I can say publicly now, there are active ongoing matters in the United Kingdom as a result of whistle blowing testimony provided to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago which was given to the United Kingdom authorities.”
Al-Rawi said by now it was public knowledge that he was a main witness in several matters before the court involving persons who once held senior office under the Opposition.
He added, “If I was Mrs Persad-Bissessar, I would be shaking in my booths right now. If I was Mrs. Persad-Bissessar, I would be mortally afraid by what is being investigated by the British authorities.”
The Attorney General also defended all statements made against him by Persad-Bissessar whom, he said, spent most of her debate time speaking about him.
Al-Rawi maintains he has violated no law and that the Opposition when in power from 2010 to 2015 were also involved in scandals relating to One Alexandra Place.
