By Sue-Ann Wayow
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she is very worried about Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s mental health.
Speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) virtual report on Monday night, Persad-Bissessar referred to the press conference held on Saturday by Dr Rowley.
“That news conference on Saturday was a crazy news conference,” she said.
Persad-Bissesssar added.,”What was actually witnessed was an embarrassing prime minister essentially confessing that he is powerless and incompetent to govern the country.”
She said Dr Rowley who was missing in action for almost a month of endless scandals, flooding and murder sprees finally addressed citizens.
Persad-Bissessar said, “Rowley resurfaces do what, to berate a reporter.”
At the press conference, Newsday journalist Darren Bahaw asked the Prime Minister about questions regarding whether proper due diligence was done before the appointment of Reginal Armour as Attorney General on March 16. Armour has been disqualified from appearing as the AG on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago in a case in a Miami court arising out of the construction of the Piarco International Airport.
On Saturday instead of replying to a question by Bahaw, Dr Rowley instead lambasted him for a headline in a story that was written in 2007 when Bahaw was at the Express.
Dr Rowley said blatantly, “I am not going to answer you.”
Persad-Bissessar said Dr Rowley was to “toting feelings 15 years about Darren Bahaw.”
She said, “You don’t know about this fella (Dr Rowley). We have to worry about his health. I am very worried about his mental health.”
She paused.
“He seems to forget a lot,” Persad-Bissessar said.
The opposition leader said the prime minister could not face the questions asked by members of the media.
“When things get difficult it’s like he throws a tantrum. I don’t know what kind of madness is going on in this man’s head,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She also said that mental illness was a serious issue which she takes very seriously.
Persad-Bissessar said, “Seriously, I am not making a joke here. I am serious that this man’s behaviour and stability is a grave cause for concern.”
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) had issued a release following the press conference stating, “When press conferences turn personal, there is the potential to create a chilling effect in the form of self-censorship of the journalistic cross-examination of issues in the public interest.”
