Mikela Panday has criticised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President of the Senate Wade Mark over the handling of allegations of corruption involving two unnamed Independent Senators.
In a statement issued today, Panday said the Prime Minister was contacted four days ago and asked whether she intended to name the senators she accused of being willing to trade favours for their votes.
According to Panday, her response in a WhatsApp exchange was simply, “No.”
Panday was responding to today’s ruling by Senate President Wade Mark, who dismissed motions of privilege brought by Independent Senator Anthony Vieira and Opposition Senator Dr Amery Browne.
The motions sought to have the matter referred to the Privileges Committee, but were ruled not to have met the required threshold.
Panday argued that the Privileges Committee exists to protect the integrity of Parliament and investigate alleged breaches, including unsubstantiated accusations against sitting senators.
She warned that failing to address the allegations risks deepening public distrust, saying either Parliament is compromised by corruption or the country has been misled — and, in his words, “there is no middle ground.”
