RETREAT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - In the face of solid opposition from the Independent senators against the measure seeking to give powers of arrest to soldiers, Government backed down yesterday. Government, which needed the support at least four Independent senators, was hoping to conclude and pass the Defence and Police Complaints Authority Amendment Bill, 2013 yesterday. Debate began in the Senate at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain, on Tuesday. The bill requires a three-fifths majority, the equivalent of 19 votes, of which Government has 15 votes. But Government was forced to suspend the debate to April 23 after it became clear that if taken to a vote, it would fail. Government now has to return to the drawing board to decide whether to make fundamental changes or withdraw the bill.