T&T’S OPPOSITION LEADER FILES A MOTION IN THE PARLIAMENT TO INVESTIGATE THE REMOVAL OF THE COUNTRY’S PRESIDENT.

BY A STAFF REPORTER: Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar has filed a motion in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, pursuant to section 36 of the constitution for the establishment of a tribunal to investigate the removal of Paula Mae Weekes as President the country…
According to the head of the United National Congress (UNC), the motion is grounded on several facts set out under Section 36 of the Constitution:
a) The President has behaved in such a way as to bring her office into hatred, ridicule or contempt
b) The President has willfully violated the constitution
c) The President has endangered the safety and security of the State
She said the aforementioned occurred when President Weekes allegedly interfered and/or facilitated the interference of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Mrs Persad-Bissessar added that the President's decision to proceed with appointing new members of the Commission willfully violated the constitution, securing the independence of the commission in the performance of its functions and violated section 123 of the Constitution which states that a merit list must immediately be sent to the Parliament.
With the filing of this motion, the Speaker of the House of Representatives will convene a joint sitting of the Parliament with all MPs and all Senators. The motion will be debated and if passed, a tribunal will be set up to investigate the matter. The final report would be sent to the Parliament to determine if the President should be removed or not.
Acknowledging that she does not have a majority in the Parliament, the UNC head said the process is still necessary.
"It is my duty as the Opposition Leader with my team to use the mechanisms available in the Constitution to hold the President to account," she said.
As she called for a fair vote, Mrs Persad-Bissessar said she intends to ask, at the start of the debate, that the whip be removed so MPs can vote based on their own conscience.