By Chantalé Fletcher
ACTING Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob should interview four Government ministers concerning the granting of a special liquor licence to the operator of the MV Ocean Pelican Adrian Scoon.
This was the suggestion of Opposition Senator Wade Mark on Friday at a brief press conference.
He called on Jacob to interview Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon and Attorney General Faris al-Rawi.
He also said Gopee-Scoon cannot escape responsibility for this situation, as her son was involved.
Mark asked, “What role did she play in this matter?”
He said, “As when it came to being fair and applicable to the law, there was one law for the rest of us and one for the friends, family and financiers of the PNM.”
Mark said all four ministers were running away from taking responsibility for the fiasco on the MV Ocean Pelican.
The owner of the boat had asked if he could operate it as a restaurant and not breach the Covid-19 regulations which closes beaches at 12 noon each day. Police arrested and then released 100 people on board the boat on Boxing Day. No charges has been laid yet.
Mark made reference to a letter dated December 28, 2021,
which showed the process and approval of the special liquor license from the Controller of Customs and Excise.
He said, “Yet, no one wants to take responsibility.”
Mark said that the Controller of Customs and Excise could only act when given written instructions by the Minister of Finance.
Mark referred to a document saying that upon the instructions of Imbert, a special liquor license was approved and issued to Adrian Scoon on December 3, 2021, for the operations of the MV Ocean Pelican as a floating restaurant.
