It was Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner who opened the gates on the hanging debate, saying criminals should be hanged.

Social activist Verna St Rose-Greaves, who was offered the position of Special Adviser on Children's Affairs, but has not been appointed, said almost immediately after that if the Government were to resume hangings, she would distance herself from them.

When contacted by the Express yesterday on whether she will carry out her promise to "walk", St Rose-Greaves said her position had not changed.

"I haven't heard the entire statement made by the Prime Minister, but if this is on the law books, then I believe she cannot say otherwise.

"I empathise with her position and I know she has a lot of support which she may not be aware of. I am willing to support her in any alternative way and I think we can start having discussions to remove capital punishment from the law books."

St Rose-Greaves made it clear she was not attempting to get into any argument with the Prime Minister, or "chastise her in any way, but if anyone is executed in this country, I will not, will not, will not in good conscience be able to live with myself".

At yesterday's post-Cabinet media conference in Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said: "Hangings were never on hold. It's the law and the statute books say this is the final penalty, so we will abide by it."

Here's a recap of the positions taken by ministers and the views of others:

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner:

Warner has written a letter to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan requesting that the issue be examined. He has said there were 35 prisoners on Death Row, two of whom had lost all their appeals and were awaiting the hangman.

National Security Minister John Sandy:

Sandy is supporting the death penalty, saying it would be a deterrent to potential murderers.

At a recent post-Cabinet press briefing, Sandy stated: "When it is their (criminals) time to be executed, they try all means possible to escape the noose. So if they know their lives are so worthy, I think they will probably think twice before they commit some of the heinous crimes that they have been committing."

Justice Minister Herbert Volney:

"I am not opposed in principle to hanging persons, but it has to be in respect to brutal and heinous crimes. Persons should be hanged in Woodford Square, 6 or 7 in the morning. The people should see the hangings take place, they need to feel the fear of God and have fear for the law."

Trade Minister Steven Cadiz:

"I am not a supporter of hanging. I don't think it's the way to get out of our crime situation," he said.

Minister of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs, Mary King:

"It's the law but maybe it should be removed from the books."

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh:

"I prefer to leave those issues to the Minister of National Security. That does not fall within my portfolio, so I don't want to comment."