Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday declined comment on former minister of justice Herbert Volney’s claims that he had attempted to tender his resignation mere hours before he was fired by her on national television.
When approached by the media for a response to Volney’s claim, Persad-Bissessar who read the feature address at the Trinidad and Tobago Police Youth Club extravaganza at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, told reporters that she was pressed for time and instructed Minister of National Security Jack Warner to answer the question.
“Happy Republic Day to all of you and to the citizens of our nation. There is very little more I can add at this time because of time constraints. Mr Warner attended the meeting I held with Justice Volney and I am sure he would have enough time after I leave that he could give you some details on that,” she said.
Responding to the question of whether Volney was being truthful in his claims Warner said: “All I would say to you is that I was there when the Prime Minister met with Mr Volney, I was there in the Cabinet meeting and what Mr Volney has said is not my recollection on the matter. Much has been said but that is my recollection of the matter and I would like to leave it at that. I would not like to say much more at this stage.”
He was asked whether he was aware of the wall posts yesterday on the Facebook page of Volney which stated, “I want to thank all the hundreds of people from all walks of life for your support for me and my family. We are people of faith and we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. We need now to pray to God for strength for our Prime Minister who is now overcome by Anand Ramlogan that she may purge herself of the influence of one who is unelected by the people but influences her in a way that We the People must fear.”
A subsequent post on Volney’s Facebook wall stated yesterday: “To the hundreds who have lent their support to my family and me, the truth has been told. Please lend our Prime Minister your heart so that she will have the strength and vision to see what is wrong and deal with it. Pray for her. I am already covered and spared by my dismissal.”
Warner responded: “I am aware of all that it has on the social media but I don’t respond to the social media. I mean if I was to do that I would do nothing else. I never have done that and I am not going to do it now.”
Asked about his visit to Volney’s home following his firing, Warner said he went as his friend to empathise with him.
“We discussed certain matters, he made certain promises of how he would treat the situation and I am looking to see how that works out,” he said.
Volney could not be reached for comment on his Facebook page statements yesterday.