The Member of Parliament for Diego Martin North East, Colm Imbert, and the Minister of Defence, Wayne Sturge, were both referred to the Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives during Wednesday’s sitting.
According to Minister of Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein, during a debate on June 13th, the Diego Martin North East MP stated that a court matter involving him was under appeal. Minister Hosein said the appeal had already been dismissed on February 24th, 2025, and that the MP, as the then-Minister of Finance, would have been fully aware of that.
“As a named defendant in the matter, he was responsible for providing instructions in the said matter. Therefore he knew, or ought to have known, that the appeal was, in fact, struck out. Yet he chose to deliberately attempt to prevent the Member for La Brea from raising the adverse court findings of his conduct in the House. The said matter is sub judice, as it was under appeal is absolutely false, untrue and misleading.”
Mr. Hosein insisted the statement was not only false but a deliberate attempt to mislead both the Parliament and the public.
“He has committed a contempt of the Parliament and abused his privilege as a member of this esteemed house. As such, I submit that the Honourable Member has committed a breach of privilege of this House and that he be referred to the Committee of Privileges.”
In response, the Diego Martin North East MP would issue an apology to the House, saying he had no intention of misleading the Parliament.
“I wish to unreservedly apologise for my misstatement in the House.”
Mr. Imbert explained that at the time of the debate on the TTRA Repeal Bill, he believed the matter was still before the court, as he had not been informed otherwise. He said he received no updates from the legal team involved – and has submitted a letter from his attorney supporting his explanation.
Later in the sitting, Arouca-Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales referred Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge to the Privileges Committee. He claimed that Mr. Sturge misled the House during the Standing Finance Committee by stating that former Minister Faris Al-Rawi owns Agra Court – a building rented by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Mr. Gonzales said Mr. Al-Rawi does not own the building.
“He knew or ought to have known by reason of his office as Minister of Defence and Minister in the Ministry of Homeland Security and as a Cabinet Minister that the statements he made were a deliberate untruth.”
In response, Minister Sturge said he has since been informed that the building is owned by the father-in-law and wife of Mr. Al Rawi. He said Mr. Al-Rawi has a beneficial interest in the property.
“So in that regard, I withdraw the statement and apologise.”
House Speaker Jagdeo Singh deferred judgement on both privilege referrals. He said he would rule later on in the proceedings.