Former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has withdrawn from the proposed crime talks involving the Government and the Opposition.

In a statement today, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar dismissed a claim by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, that the UNC had vowed not to take part in the talks if Mr Griffith was not present.

She insisted that the former Top Cop has no criminal charges against him and is exceptionally qualified to contribute to these talks.

She added however that Mr Griffith has since decided to “selflessly” put his inclusion on hold, since he “did not want to be scapegoated as a reason for these talks to be scuttled.”

Mrs Persad-Bissessar is also again urging Dr Rowley to consider his decision to not take part in the meeting.

She also called on him to:

• Invite all willing stakeholders to the anti-crime talks to contribute.
• Broaden the topics to be discussed at the meetings beyond legislation only.
• Invite experts and professionals from various sectors to advise parliamentarians on creating a holistic approach.
• Implement the numerous plans, policies, and programs the UNC has presented.
• Desist from using these anti-crime talks as political propaganda.
• Lead a credible team to represent the Government at these talks.

Attempts to organize the discussions have stalled, with a date yet to be set.