‘If you know the law, you will know how to protect yourself by observing the law’ –– Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley
By Sue-Ann Wayow
PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley admits that he is now the subject of an investigation by the Integrity Commission for the purchase of house in Tobago.
He is denying any wrongdoing in his purchase.
Speaking at a People’s National Movement (PNM) political meeting at Calder Hall, Tobago on Monday, Dr Rowley said the townhouse bought in Shirvan Road for $1.2 million was paid from his savings.
“As a result of that, as I speak to you now, I am the subject of an investigation by the Integrity Commission because according to them, I should have paid $1.6 million. And therefore the man gave me a gift of $400,000,” Dr Rowley said.
He added, “I must be the only idiot buying a townhouse before it build in Shirvan Road and all of a sudden, the Integrity Commission must tell them how much to charge me for it. Not that the seller and the buyer could agree on a price you know but they want to tell their UNC friends that I am under investigation.”
“They” referred to Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Farley Augustine and his executive team.
The issue of the house was raised by the United National Congress (UNC) back in 2021 with Dr Rowley stating that he had already declared that asset to the Commission.
He said on Monday that Augustine will also have to answer to the Integrity Commission as it also investigates a leaked audio tape, a conversation that Augustine admitted to having with his team.
Dr Rowley said, “I want to know, if the Integrity Commission know, that Farley say ‘is all ah dem’.”
He said, “Because you could talk stupidness but if you know the law, you will know how to protect yourself by observing the law. What is happening in Tobago is that lawlessness and lies go together.”
