Senior Reporter

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Security personnel assigned to the Parliament, as well as intelligence officers within the T&T Police Service, say they are in the dark concerning any threats against Government MPs or ministers.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity yesterday, security officials who deal with the protection of the Parliament said they were only made aware of supposed threats after the disclosure was made by Attorney General John Jeremie and was subsequently aired and published by the media.

During the debate on a bill to provide for a parole system on Wednesday, Jeremie revealed that a national security incident sparked by a Belmont gang member last Friday, had triggered a higher degree of protection of MPs in Parliament and certain Government officials had to be given additional protection.

That claim was backed up by Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro.

Yesterday, however, the security personnel told Guardian Media that they were not alerted to any incident that needed their attention on Friday, nor were they instructed to beef up security arrangements.

Meanwhile, TTPS intelligence sources said they were aware of two government ministers who had increased police officers assigned to them. This, however, was due to the long working hours of the ministers and not because of any supposed threat, they sources said.

Referencing the triple murder in Belmont on April 7 that saw 23-month-old Akini Kafi being shot in the head during his contribution, Jeremie said: “I’m authorised by the Commissioner of Police to say that last Friday, a member of one of those gangs in that community sparked a national security incident, such that all of us in this Parliament were protected to a higher degree and certain officials in the Government were given additional protection.”

Contacted for comment on Jeremie’s revelation, CoP Guevarro said, “I can confirm that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service responded to a security-related matter last Friday, which required enhanced protective measures at Parliament and for a small number of Government officials. The TTPS acted out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with established national security protocols.”

He added: “Given the nature of the matter, and consistent with our obligations under national security, I am not at liberty to disclose operational details of the incident, the TTPS’ response or specifics regarding individuals. What I can assure is that the TTPS continues to actively assess all risks and will adjust protective measures as required to ensure the safety of our national institutions and our citizens.”

Ministers unbothered

Guardian Media waited outside the Diplomatic Centre, La Fantasie Road, St Ann’s, yesterday, to monitor whether the increased security measures Jeremie to spoke to were still in operation.

However, there appeared to be no signs of an increased security detail for members attending the Cabinet meeting.

Guardian Media counted 12 ministers entering between midday and 1.30 pm, when Cabinet normally begins. Only two of them had police escorts, as the others either drove themselves or had a driver only. Those who drove themselves parked on the compound while those who were driven were dropped off and had their drivers park outside.

Guardian Media stopped three Government officials – Phillip Alexander (Minister in the Housing Ministry), Clyde Elder (Minister in the Public Utilities Ministry) and David Nahkid (Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport.

Elder said he could not say which of his Cabinet colleagues were threatened, while Nahkid said he was unbothered by the threats, advising that Guardian Media contact Jeremie for that information.

Asked if he was afraid based on the comments made by the AG, Nakhid said: “I fear Almighty God only.”

Last year, Jeremie, in defending the need for a State of Emergency, then said Government ministers’ lives were under threat. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge, Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath were later identified as the ministers under threat then.

Yesterday, when asked about the public being sceptical about the threat, given Jeremie’s comments last year, Nahkid said: “I think every day we go about our business in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. That is assurance enough. The people of Trinidad and Tobago are safe by this Government led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar.”

Meanwhile, Alexander said the fact that Guardian Media did not notice any increase in police presence around Government members to support the claim by the Attorney General was proof that the security enhancement was working.

“The Attorney General is always spot on; he is not a man for hyperbole. If he says something is an issue, it is an issue. We are guided.”

Asked if he felt fearful for himself and his Cabinet colleagues, Alexander said no.

“I trust the Government that I am a part of.”