Rowley calls for internal probe

PORT-OF-SPAIN, (CMC):

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has written to the Police Service Commission requesting that it obtain a "full and comprehensive report" on the response of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to the allegations against anyone, including Works Minister Austin 'Jack' Warner, who may have broken the law with respect to the so-called FIFA bribery scandal.

In his letter to the PCS chairman, Professor Ramesh Deosaran, the Opposition Leader said that he was of the view that the manner had "not been dealt with by the state in a manner deserving of the serious implications which attend its existence.

"As you are aware, in early June, Trinidad and Tobago featured in a very public, international scandal, the details of which have been published around the world. Within the context of this matter was the great possibility and likelihood that the law of Trinidad and Tobago might have been broken by person/s involved in a FIFA international bribery scandal.

"In the face of this, the competent authority, viz the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, failed to show any interest in the matter, even though external authorities were looking after their interests by carrying out their own internal investigations," Rowley wrote.

In June, Warner unexpectedly resigned as a FIFA vice-president and head of CONCACAF and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) amid corruption allegations made in the run-up to the re-election of FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.