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Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has sacked his Minister of Public Utilities Marlene McDonald, just two days after appointing her in the first place.
A release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated that Rowley “today advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Ms Marlene McDonald, Minister of Public Utilities with immediate effect.”
Rowley is believed to have asked McDonald to resign on Saturday, less than 24 hours after she was sworn in by Carmona. The Port of Spain South MP apparently resisted.
The Office of the Prime Minister gave no reason for McDonald’s sacking but, almost certainly, it was related to her choice of guest at the swearing in ceremony as she turned up with Cedric “Godfather Burkie” Burke amongst her entourage.
Burke, 42, is the owner of Good Fellas Security and Burke and Company Ltd construction company. However, he is also touted as the president of the Rasta City gang and was arrested under the Anti-Gang legislation during the 2011 State of Emergency. He was also arrested, two years later, during a raid in Sea Lots when police described him as “a major player” in the area.
When Burke was arrested during the State of Emergency, police apprehended him at the Hyatt hotel where he had been paying in excess of TT$900 a night in cash during his stay.
McDonald insisted Burke was a good fellah—in the nicest sense of the word.
(Copyright Andy Hypolite/Trinidad Guardian)
“You noticed upstairs, I have two persons upstairs, and you know why I invited them here?” McDonald asked the media, rhetorically. “They are from East Port of Spain, from the Sea Lots area. They represent the best of what East Port of Spain has to offer.
“We are not just nobody or anybody, we are people, first and foremost.”
Rowley apparently disagreed. McDonald’s reappointment was controversial from the start, as she has dealt with her share of controversy related to benefits provided to her common-law husband, Michael Carew. The Trinidad Guardian suggested she is still under investigation from the Integrity Commission.
McDonald remains a MP and the PNM Deputy Political Leader while she also chairs at least one parliamentary committee.
Statement from the Office of the Prime Minister:
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has today advised President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Ms Marlene McDonald, Minister of Public Utilities with immediate effect.
(Copyright News.Gov.TT)
Ms McDonald was recently sworn in as Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities after a sixteen (16) month period of absence from the Cabinet.
The President has also been advised that the portfolio of Public Utilities should be assigned to the Prime Minister who will now assume these duties in addition to his other responsibilities.
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Lol. You know we ‘know’ but yet don’t know!
Because I presume if the police actually had evidence to back up suspicion, they would have successfully charged him before.
So as it stands, the man is just a hard working businessman. And stalwart of the community.
he better be careful he dont get jailed.. he is a know criminal but playing boldface … only in trinidad yes
Lawsuit in the making? Slander much? The man, for all intents and purposes, apparently has no charges or convictions against him?
A case of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. This situation did not sprout up overnight. I guess we could all speculate but we need to get the facts before passing judgement.
The Prime Minister is in deep trouble before getting to two years in office ..
But when she was appointed, there was concern as her matter was outstanding since her last term.
As much as she might be an asset to the party, she would have been a liability in government with the issue outstanding-low hanging fruit for the opposition.
Yeah, know where to bring yuh goonies.
Hmmm, well, the position of dpl of the PNM should be open soon if their systems work…or if they have a system for weeding out undesirables…pity our honourable PM took this long, but better late than never.
Everyone: Burke, Marlene, gang, security
Me: Rowley had other responsibilities other than galavanting and making arrogant and unprofessional statements? Well shit.
Such is de age ole question…is doin ah right ting for de wrong reason ah right ting??…he shouldn’t have rehired her in de fus place!…so imma ease up on de plaudits fuh dis one…sorry
Fire Sharron Felix as well.
We need a bye election now remove her completely
If she resigns, because they are not firing her?
And according to constituents, she is a good representative.
She is a total insult to the intelligence and integrity of the people of her constituency. Sadly, she seems to not be able to understand even that. That, or chooses to conveniently ignore it.
But it’s the same constituents-or a vocal few who are defending her and her performance.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170703/news/dopwell-prime-minister-committed-political-suicide
