PM challenges Kamla to name paedophiles in PNM

Akash Samaroo

Senior Reporter

akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is challenging the Opposition Leader to name the so-called paedophiles that she claims are in the “high ranks” of the People’s National Movement (PNM). Until then, Dr Rowley said, he will dismiss her “disgusting” claims.

On Friday, as Kamla Persad-Bissessar responded to Colm Imbert’s budget presentation, she lamented what she described as a paltry allocation to protect the nation’s children.

The Opposition Leader claimed while $50M was allocated to the Office of the Prime Minister for “feting”, in contrast only a small fraction of that was put towards childcare systems. “Do you know how much was allocated in this fiscal year? A measly $1 million for child care and child protection in our country,” she said while her members repeatedly cried “shame” on the Government.

When they settled down, Persad-Bissessar continued with a surprising statement.

“But we know that this Government does not care about child protection systems because high PNM officials are being repeatedly accused of being involved in a paedophile ring,” Persad-Bissessar said as her members thumped their desks vigorously in support.

She added, “Yet to date, the authorities refuse to investigate this accusation of rampant paedophilia in the high ranks of the PNM. Shame and scandal.”

Persad-Bissessar reiterated, “$50M for parties at OPM but $1M to strengthen child protection systems in the country to combat paedophiles.”

Given the gravity of these claims, Guardian Media sought a comment from the Prime Minister.

Responding via WhatsApp messenger, Dr Keith Rowley said, “Since this woman knows enough about that to raise it as part of a national budget debate, I would not dignify this disgraceful act of desperation with a comment until she identifies the perpetrators.”

The Prime Minister added, “Until then, I will dismiss her and the disgusting allegation with the contempt they both deserve.”

This is not the first time Persad-Bissessar has made these shocking claims.

In 2022, she accused the Prime Minister of ignoring the Justice Judith Jones report into abuse at children’s homes, claiming, “This is clearly an attempt to deflect from the disclosure that high-ranking PNM members were and are still involved in a paedophile ring.”

The Opposition Leader had challenged the Prime Minister to expose these people if he truly cared about the nation’s children. At that time, she had called for a police investigation.

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