LEADER of Government Business and Minister of Housing Dr Roodal Moonilal believes that Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed now understands the brutality of public life.

He said Mohammed was sincere, humble and innocent in politics.

Moonilal made the comment on Thursday when asked to respond to Mohammed's letter and e-mail to the Express and TV6, in which he questioned whether the country's leading media house was biased against the People's Partnership Government.

Speaking with members of the media at Ramleela celebrations in Palmiste, Moonilal said: "Minister Jamal Mohammed is extremely sincere and humble and maybe he is very innocent in politics.

"He is now understanding the brutality of public life, that anything you say can and will be twisted and used against you."

Moonilal said people in public life should be careful what they say and how they say it. He said Mohammed should learn from his experience.

Asked whether he shared his colleague's views on the Express and TV6, Moonilal replied: "I understand his views. I don't write letters to editors and so on in that way, but I understand his views and I understand the sincerity with which he acted."

Last Saturday, Mohammed sent a private and confidential e-mail to an Express journalist, taking issue over an article which he believed was taken out of context.

On Tuesday, Mohammed sent another private and confidential e-mail to TV6 Head of News Dominic Kalipersad, not in his capacity as government minister, but as "an insignificant Muslim coolie from San Juan", where he alleged CCN TV6 and the Express were biased in their reporting and in cahoots with the Opposition People's National Movement to destabilise the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led People's Partnership Government.

On Thursday, Mohammed apologised for his attack on the media, following questions by reporters at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.

He said he did not know he could not divide his personal and professional portfolios.