PM wants former national security minister investigated

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Monday night called for an investigation into her former national security minister Austin “Jack” Warner after a newspaper reported that he had solicited millions of dollars from businesses using his ministerial office. Addressing the ruling United National Congress (UNC) Monday night forum in Chaguanas in Central Trinidad, Persad-Bissessar made reference to an investigative report carried in the Sunday Express in which Warner is alleged to have engaged in an improper solicitation of funds from private business interests in his official capacity as a government minister in 2010 and 2011. “These allegations, if true, would amount to criminal conduct as it relates to the offences under the Integrity in Public Life Act, Section 27, the Prevention of Corruption Act and Tax Evasion in particular, and should be investigated by the relevant authorities,” Persad Bissessar told party supporters.