Trinidad's security minister resigns

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):



Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar, announced that her embattled National Security Minister, Austin ‘Jack’ Warner has resigned; less than 72 hours after the publication of a report by the CONCACAF Integrity Committee, that had been very critical of the former international football boss.



“I have today accepted the resignation of the Minister of National Security, Mr Jack Warner, from the Cabinet of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.



“I wish to thank Mr Warner for his service to the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago,” she said.



In a brief statement, following an emergency Cabinet meeting at her private home at Palmiste, Prime Minister, Persad Bissessar said, she advised President Anthony Carmona “to revoke the appointment of Mr Warner” and appoint Works and Infrastructure Minister Emmanuel George as the new national security minister.



She said Local Government Minister Suruj Rambachan will take over George’s portfolio.



Warner’s removal from the Cabinet followed widespread calls for Prime Minister, Persad Bissessar to act immediately on the contents of the report of the CONCACAF Integrity Committee that was released in Panama on Friday.



Neither Warner nor Blazer cooperated with the investigation.



The Congress of the People, the second biggest partner in the four-party coalition People’s Partnership government, said that Warner, who served as CONCACF president for nearly two decades, should either step down or be removed.



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