People's National Movement (PNM) Senator Fitzgerald Hinds confirmed last night that the Opposition Leader had received a "serious threat" and that the matter was reported to the police on Monday.

Hinds said the police "would obviously report such a matter to the Minister of National Security and to the chairman of the National Security Council because this is a threat against the Leader of the Opposition of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago".

"One would have expected that in the practice of decency and good governance, the National Security Minister would have allowed the police to conduct their affairs and this investigation and deal with it as they see fit. But the next thing we know is that the Minister is at a forum somewhere in Trou Macaque, he finds its necessary to communicate this delicate information to the national community, presumably without the authority of the police who would merely have reported it to him as they should. He mouths it off recklessly and carelessly to the national community," Hinds stated.

Hinds said Warner's premature disclosure could very well prejudice a successful and proper investigation by the police. He said this was yet another demonstration of the recklessness and stupidity and sometimes deliberate attempt by senior government officals to thwart and interfere with the process of justice in Trinidad and Tobago.

He cited the recent controversy involving Section 34 of the Administration of Justice Act.

Hinds said the PNM was renewing its call for the removal of Warner and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

Hinds said he wanted acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and the Special Branch to indicate whether they authorised Warner to speak publicly on the issue of the death threat against Rowley.

It is understood that the threat came in the form of a letter.