Top Cop tight-lipped on Charrandass investigation

Commissioner of Police Leslie James has promised a press conference “shortly” to deal specifically with an investigation into former AFC Parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud who toppled the Coalition Government on December 21, 2018, when he voted with the Opposition in favour of the No-Confidence Motion that was successfully passed in the National Assembly.

Grilled by reporters at State House Thursday morning following the opening of the Police Force Annual Officers’ Conference, the Top Cop refused to disclose the nature of the investigation surrounding Charrandass, who has since sought refuge in Canada.

The Top Cop maintained that the investigation is a “matter of national security” but admitted that the Police are yet to make contact with Charrandass.

The Police Commissioner also refused to divulge who lodged a report against Charrandass that would warrant the investigation.

“I cannot determine the credibility of the evidence but at this point, we’re gathering evidence,” Mr James told reporters.

He refused to say whether the investigation surrounds bribery or gold smuggling, both of which Charrandass has been accused of.

“A matter was reported to us of national security and importance. I would say that at this point in time. As I said, it’s a sensitive matter, please give due regard to that,” the Police Commissioner said.

When asked what makes the case a matter of national security, this is what the Top Cop said: “Well, you look at the matter, it is a matter where a former Member of Parliament is reported to have been involved in some matter allegedly and that is what we’re dealing with.”

The No Confidence motion was taken to the National Assembly by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and his People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

The PPP has 32 seats in the House; the Government, then with Charrandass, had 33. When the vote was called, the Government was stunned when Charrandass defected and voted in favour of the motion.

Since then, he has been accused of accepting millions for his vote and for being involved in an illegal gold deal.

Charrandass remains in Canada, claiming that he is fearful for his life.