Integrity Commission clears T&T PM

(Trinidad Express) The Integrity Commission has cleared Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of any breach of the Integrity in Public Life Act when she stayed at the private residence of her friends Ralph and Maureen Gopaul last year.

With a letter from the Integrity Commission in hand, Persad-Bissessar on Thursday read the contents which stated that she was not guilty of any allegations levelled against her at the post-Cabinet media conference at the Prime Minister’s Office, St Clair. Persad-Bissessar noted that the letter, dated July 25, was sent to her by the Martin Farrell, Registrar of the Integrity Commission.

She read: “The Integrity Commission has directed me to inform you that a letter of complaint alleging a breach of the integrity in Public Life Act Chapter 22:01 pertaining to your stay at the Gopauls residence at Pasea, Tunapuna, has been received. The Commission has considered the matter and rejected the complaint”.

With a smile, Persad-Bissessar said: “So, I am very happy to have received this letter from the Integrity Commission which deal with a subject that has been in the public domain for quite some time now”.

Throughout the heated issue, Persad-Bissessar had maintained, “My hands are clean and my heart is pure”.

The Prime Minister left immediately after making the brief statement as she indicated she had two meetings to attend.