POLITICAL Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) Prakash Ramadhar called on his Cabinet colleague, National Security Minister Jack Warner, to make a public apology for what he called defamatory statements made concerning COP member Vernon De Lima.

Ramadhar defended De Lima, saying he was a man "of exemplary character and reputation".

Ramadhar was speaking at a COP news conference yesterday at the party's head office at Charlieville, Chaguanas.

On Friday in Parliament, Warner claimed De Lima attended a "secret" meeting at the home of a person named "George Bell" with members of the People's National Movement (PNM).

Ramadhar said: "The party is very troubled that allegations of such gravity and magnitude could be made against any citizen and particularly in the circumstance of Mr De Lima, he being a past vice-chairman of this party and an active member.

"We think it necessary that the injustice of that statement be dealt with through that end."

Ramadhar said House Speaker Wade Mark was notified of the COP's decision "to ensure that a correction is made to that grave error that occurred Friday last in our Parliament".

"Where a wrong is clear, the right thing to do is the right thing to do. The first thing we shall take to the Speaker is a request for a correction to be put in the official record of Parliament, the Hansard.

"I cannot speak for the Minister, Mr Warner, as to what he will do in relation to an apology. I could only imagine that an apology would not be difficult in the circumstances."

Attempts to get in contact with Warner yesterday were futile. • See Page 7