Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman yesterday said that he was not prepared to resign in the face of recent allegations of sexual abuse, while his party accused Attorney General Anil Nandlall of involvement in directing his accuser to attorney Jaya Manickchand.
Nandlall yesterday categorically denied any involvement but did admit that a member of his staff did meet with Johnny Welshman Jnr although he was unaware of the subject of their engagement.
At a news conference yesterday, Trotman spoke briefly about the allegations, which he denied.
“I have never in my life committed any act of a sexual nature that is illegal…,” he said. “I have never molested any child, male or female and…. I will never in my life do anything to hurt any child or to commit any offence of a sexual nature…or other kind of offence,” he added. When questioned whether he would resign from his position as Speaker of the National Assembly given the allegations leveled against him, Trotman said he was not prepared to do so but he was seeking guidance on the issue. He said at present it was just an allegation and no charges were brought against him. When probed on whether he would resign if he were charged, he chose not to answer.
Since the allegations surfaced just under a week ago, the AFC has reiterated its support for Trotman while accusing the government of being behind a plot to destroy his character in order to derail the National Assembly from considering of a no-confidence motion against the administration.
AFC General Secretary David Patterson yesterday said the AFC received information that a senior government official,
