PM wants report on politician's alleged abuse

PORT OF SPAIN, CMC

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has called on the minister of the People and Social Development Glenn Ramadharsingh to submit a report on his alleged disorderly conduct on board a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) domestic flight from Tobago to Trinidad earlier this month.

"I've asked the honourable minister (to make) a full report and asked the relevant authorities to give me a full report. So it will be inappropriate to make any comment at this time until I receive those reports," she said, even as the calls intensified for her to dismiss the minister over the matter.

The latest call has come from the secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Sat Maharaj, who said Ramadharsingh had become an "embarrassment, a liability" and "a poor role model" and should resign or be fired.

Ramadharsingh has acknowledged that his alleged behaviour was due to "fatigue" and denied reports that he was intoxicated when he refused to follow orders given by flight attendant, Ronelle Laidlow.

Laidlow, 25, in a report made to the police and the Airports Authority security said that the minister's hand touched her breast when he reached for her identification badge which was pinned to her blouse.

Ramadharsingh, however, denied claims he had any physical interaction with the flight attendant, denying also that he had threatened to have her dismissed over the incident.

Ramadharsingh blamed his "fatigue" on sporting activities, political campaigning as well as visiting family members.