Police Minister on Andre Perez Scandal
Allegations of sexual misconduct made against Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Andre Perez, by attorney Wendy Auxillou, remain in the news tonight. On Monday, the embattled minister was granted a leave of absence from cabinet and an investigation is being conducted by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. The Leader of the Opposition, Shyne Barrow, has said that Minister Perez is to be criminally investigated, but according to Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa no statement has been made to the police and so the matter is with the AG.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I think that you the members of the media can certainly appreciate that as the Minister of Police, in a situation where there are possible, potential, criminal ramifications from either side – that’s not something appropriate for me to comment on. It is very early; I don’t believe anybody has filed any police statements as yet. But it is not a matter that I would want to comment on; I haven’t done it in other instances that were very tempting like Shyne Barrow and Patrick Faber – I don’t engage in that. That’s not very professional to do. And so this is not a situation that I should be weighing in on as the Minister of Police.”
Reporter
“The Leader of the Opposition…”
Kareem Musa
“…saying that?”
Reporter
“That there is bias in the way that both, different situations are handled at least when it comes to the opposition and ruling party…”
Kareem Musa
“I can’t speak to what ruling party media and opposition party and what you in the media put out there and how you spin it. I can’t speak to that. I can’t speak to you as the Minister of Police in terms of what I do and what I say on matters that involve politicians; for instance, Rene Montero. That’s not a matter that I am going to comment on because that has to take its legal course and obviously I cannot be picking sides and carrying out any witch-hunt. That’s not what the Minister of Police in any country should be doing and certainly not a position that I should be putting myself on either side of that.”
Reporter
“There will be an investigation and then the Attorney General’s Ministry will decide whether there is anything actionable. So they are carrying out the investigation. It is not the police department.”
Kareem Musa
“Well the police department would only be engaged if either of the parties give a statement; that is what triggers a criminal investigation. And so either party has that liberty to give a police statement. That has not been done. As far as I am aware, three o’clock today, that has not been done as yet. But the Attorney General, the prime minister has, in any event, directed that the Attorney General carry out a separate investigation. So that has nothing to do with a criminal investigation.”
Reporter
“And as it relates to that leave of absence, are you aware if it is unpaid?”
Kareem Musa
“I am not aware, no.”
