By Sue-Ann Wayow
NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds in a Facebook post on Monday lambasted the Opposition for using grief for political gains.
However, former commissioner of police Gary Griffith has chastised the government minister for his use of language as a public official and who the population is depending on to protect them.
Hinds posted, “The noisy, bacchanal-loving, unpatriotic and corrupt UNC are “calling” for an investigation into the two recent horrific and unfortunate events of the home invasion and the accident at Paria, both of which sadly, claimed lives. Doesn’t the scandalous UNC know that in matters of this nature, full investigations follow naturally, like they follow taxpayers money; and police follow crooks and tief? Thorough investigations ARE underway! Then what is their point?”
He continued, “It is to make themselves pesty and relevant! It is to make unnecessary noise and scandal! It is to try to politicize the matters, to get political mileage out of people’s grief. We must not be distracted. We must continue to do the people’s work, following the laws and the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago scrupulously, as we do.”
Griffith posted on Tuesday, “On one side you have leaders rightfully calling for an investigation into what took place when four divers tragically lost their lives, but regrettably, some high-profile members of their party, as well as supporters have already pronounced guilt, and are calling for prosecutions.
“On the other side you have our country’s Minister of National Security making the vilest and most divisive comments on his Facebook page, which is attached to this release as a picture below. Hypocritically, he attempts to call out the UNC’s politicization of the tragedy while also politicizing it himself.”
While he agrees that an investigation is the only true way to determine what actually occurred, this administration’s track record on appointing investigators will have even their most ardent supporters asking questions, Griffith stated.
“The fact of the matter is that this government has a credibility problem because of their undemocratic practices of always trying to interfere with the operations of independent institutions and their activities,” Griffith said.
He added, “Let me reiterate my support for an investigation and for a lowering of temperatures whilst that investigation occurs.”
The former CoP asked that the members appointed to the investigative team that will conduct their investigations into the deaths of the four divers be above reproach and willing to stand up to any public scrutiny.
