-PNCR

The main opposition PNCR says the alleged link between Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and confessed drug trafficker Roger Khan is enough reason for him to demit office.

Ramsammy was identified by Khan’s former Lawyer, Robert Simels, as the person who assisted in Khan being trained in the operation of spy equipment. used by the businessman for, among other things, bugging the office of the then Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix, and other top officials.

However Ramsammy has flat out denied the allegations and has questioned why Simels repeatedly named him in a slew of emails as being the government minister who assisted in Khan being trained in the operation of spy equipment. “I don’t know anything about that…” the minister said when approached by Stabroek News.

Ramsammy subsequently said that he was ready to undergo a polygraph test to clear his name in the matter should the Guyana Police Force request such.
He was responding to a call from the Alliance For Change (AFC) for his resignation or for him to submit to the test. Reports also quoted Ramsammy as saying that whenever allegations are made persons must permit the relevant authorities to do their job. “I have never been involved in any criminal activity and if there are allegations in that respect then the police must do their job,” he was quoted as saying. He also denied being familiar with technology intended to monitor telephone calls. He also denied knowing what it looked like.

PNCR chief whip Lance Carberry at a press conference yesterday, along with Amna Ally and Leader Robert Corbin, suggested that the minister demit office. “The PNCR believes that these allegations are serious enough for Dr. Ramsammy to demit office, in spite of his strong denials,” Carberry said, adding that “The President and Dr. Ramsammy are likely to engage in their usual charade of denials”.