Kamla wants forensic probe into deadly fire at minister’s house

Senior Reporter

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Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is questioning the integrity and effectiveness of a committee being established to probe the circumstances surrounding a fire which claimed the lives of Government Minister Lisa Morris-Julian and her two children on Monday.

During a media conference yesterday at the UNC headquarters in Chaguanas, Persad-Bissessar lamented that the recent probe ordered by the Prime Minister may do little to provide the necessary answers.

“There is no secret that the fire service in this country is underfunded and under-resourced in terms of equipment, but the issue of the committee, I don’t know if that is the answer. Who will head this committee? How many committees have we had over the years? Every time something happens the Prime Minister puts up a committee and you never hear anything.”

The Opposition Leader instead called for a forensic investigation.

“There should be a forensic, criminal investigation as well. I’m not sure what the Prime Minister’s committee is to do but you also have to let the Fire Service and the TTPS, they have to do an investigation as well.”

Persad-Bissessar referenced the committee headed by retired Justice Stanley John to investigate issues related to the missing file in the Vindra Naipaul-Coolman case at the AG’s Office.

“What has happened to that report? My colleague-in-law from Freedom Chambers, they have filed a Freedom of Information application to get a copy of that report because it is so vital. They wrote back and said they would not give him the file under the FOIA because they are going to lay it in Parliament at the next sitting of the Senate, but where is that report?”