THE People’s National Movement (PNM) says it is saddened by the turn of events involving its Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald who is facing corruption charges.
She has also been fire as the Minister of Public Utilities.
In a statement on Monday, the PNM said it continued to stand on the side of the law.
The PNM thanked McDonald for her “yeoman service” to the party as a deputy political leader and as MP for the past 12 years.
It said, “The party also recalls with gratitude her stint as chief whip in the House of Representatives during the Opposition years of 2010-2015.
“That, notwithstanding, the People’s National Movement has long stood on the side of the law, and particularly under the stewardship of (Prime Minister) Dr Rowley, has been vehement in its denunciation of corruption and wrongdoing, irrespective of the perpetrator’s creed, colour, social status, gender or political affiliation.”
The party said it wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the independence of the major stakeholders in the matter, namely the police service, the Office of the DPP and the Judiciary.
It noted, “It is in the strengthening of that independence, and the timely execution of their functions, that confidence will be reposed once again in our institutions, and the new society of which our political leader speaks will be created.”
The party also pointed out that the matters involving McDonald, her husband Michael Carew and two others, for which they have been charged, allegedly occurred many years before Rowley first appointed McDonald to the Cabinet in 2015, and for which she had twice been cleared by the Integrity Commission.
The release said the party is praying for McDonald’s health and continued well-being.
