Trinidad & Tobago: Jack Warner resigns as National Security Minister

Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Sunday night announced that her embattled National Security Minister Austin “Jack” Warner (pictured), 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 & Tobago.

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

In a brief statement, following an emergency Cabinet meeting at her private home at Phillipine, south of here, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said that she had 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.

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 (COP), 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. -(CMC)