PAACS BACCHS

The integrity of a high-profile parliamentary inquiry has been thrown into question following allegations that Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates coached a key witness she was tasked with scrutinising.

On Monday, the Public Accounts and Administration Committee (PAAC) met to continue its inquiry titled “The State’s Acquisition of Pharmaceuticals as it Relates to the Current Processes Applicable to its Importation and Approval.”

Senator John-Bates is a member of the PAAC and is therefore tasked with scrutinising those who appear before it.

This PAAC has garnered special public interest due to the committee’s intense questioning, particularly from chairman Jagdeo Singh.

Clips of heated interactions are widely shared on social media platforms.

However, when the live feed from the Parliament came up on Monday, it was not to re-commence the inquiry, but to offer an apology from the chairman for why it had to be postponed.

Acknowledging that it is not usual for an explanation to be given for the cancellation of a PAAC sitting, Singh said he is aware of the public interest surrounding it.

“I do not propose to go into the reasons why. All I can say is to use a neutral phrase. It is regrettable, but unavoidable that we have to adjourn.”

Guardian Media later learned that the adjournment was deemed necessary during the in-camera session of the sitting, which is closed to the public.

We were reliably informed that former Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh had submitted a statement to the PAAC via a Microsoft Word document.

During previous sittings, the PAAC questioned Deyalsingh’s oversight regarding a reported massive surge in special import permits used to bypass formal drug registration and what it deemed the significant wastage of expired medication.

However, Guardian Media was told that the document containing Deyalsingh’s response to the committee contained “Track Changes.”

A Track Change is a visual record of an insertion, deletion or formatting update made to a document, allowing multiple editors to review and approve specific modifications before they become permanent.

It was then, we were told, that the Committee realised their colleague Senator John-Bates reportedly assisted Deyalsingh with his statement.

It was said that PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi also aided Deyalsingh.

Guardian Media was informed that John-Bates was asked about her involvement, and she confirmed it. This, we understand, has raised serious questions about ethics.

Guardian Media attempted to speak with Senator John-Bates about the allegation while she walked towards the Red House for yesterday’s sitting of the Senate; however, she did not stop or acknowledge the questions and instead chose to continue her journey into the Parliament.

All calls also went unanswered.

Questions are also being asked as to why Senator Al-Rawi did not advise Senator John-Bates against it.

Asked for comment yesterday, Al-Rawi said, “Whilst I am not a member of the Committee you have referenced, I am bound to point out to you that it would be an offence against the rules of Parliament which may amount to a contempt, for a member or any person to speak about the deliberations and proceedings of a committee, especially matters which may have been considered in camera, before the report of the Committee is published.”

Questions were also sent yesterday afternoon via WhatsApp to Opposition leader Pennelope Beckles and Senator Amery Browne, who is the leader of the PNM senate bench, asking if this matter was engaging their attention. Guardian Media also sought a comment from Deyalsingh. None responded before press time.

Chairman of the PAAC, Jagdeo Singh, declined to comment. The PAAC will now meet on April 27 at 1 PM.

During the last sitting on March 25, the PAAC accused Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram, who is currently on leave, of exercising authority he “plainly did not have” by issuing over 2,700 special import permits. The committee intends to summon him to explain why these permits were used to bypass the legal registration and scientific scrutiny of medications.

Akash Samaroo Lead Editor-Politics @akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt

The People’s National Movement (PNM) has pledged to take “appropriate action, if necessary” against Senator Janelle John-Bates, while Guardian Media understands that the parliamentary committee which uncovered her alleged misconduct is set to meet today to decide on her future participation.

The development comes as a high-profile inquiry by the Public Accounts and Administration Committee (PAAC) into the State’s handling of pharmaceuticals was abruptly adjourned during an in-camera session on Monday, after what sources described as a potential conflict of interest.

Guardian Media understands the adjournment followed allegations that Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates, a member of the committee, assisted former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh in preparing his witness statement. The issue reportedly arose after “Track Changes” edits were discovered in a Microsoft Word document submitted by Deyalsingh in error, raising ethical and procedural concerns.

Guardian Media has obtained a copy of the document, which contains tracked changes attributed to individuals identified as Janelle John-Bates and Faris Al-Rawi. The edits attributed to John-Bates appear in blue and include deletions to portions of paragraphs 20 and 21.

In the witness statement, Deyalsingh wrote that he was advised by the Principal Pharmacist, Mrs Anesa Siboo, that contract terms required pharmaceutical items to have a minimum 18-month expiry period, failing which NIPDEC could receive replacement stock or credit from local distributors. He also stated he was not aware whether the committee had been informed of this.

He further noted that small states are often required to accept quantities exceeding their needs in order to meet manufacturers’ minimum production requirements, warning that refusing such terms could result in shortages affecting patients.

Those passages were struck through in the document, alongside a comment attributed to John-Bates questioning the basis of the information. She wrote: “Were you informed of this by Ms Siboo during your tenure as Minister of Health, or due to a recent conversation with Ms Siboo? If you were not aware of this as Minister, I would be cautious of including it now.”

The document also shows the changes were made on March 23, two days before the PAAC met, raising questions as to whether the Senator failed to disclose her alleged actions to the Committee on March 25.

When contacted, PAAC Chairman Jagdeo Singh declined to comment.

Guardian Media understands a special emergency sitting of the PAAC is scheduled for today, where members are expected to determine whether John-Bates should be removed from the committee.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles did not respond to questions on the matter. However, PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales confirmed the party is monitoring the situation, while stressing the need for caution.

“We have to be very careful that whatever we do and whatever we say, we don’t breach the Standing Orders of Parliament or be found in contempt of the Standing Orders,” he said.

He added, however, “Once all of the information comes to hand in the appropriate manner, the PNM will take whatever appropriate action is necessary in the circumstances.”

The authority to remove a senator rests with the party’s political leader. Gonzales noted that both John-Bates and Camille Robinson-Regis serve as PNM representatives on the committee.

Robinson-Regis, when contacted, declined to comment on the specifics of the allegation but expressed concern about confidentiality.

“As a member of the PAAC, I am concerned that a matter considered by the committee in camera has entered the public domain,” she said.

She added that the issue raised broader procedural questions requiring careful consideration by all members, stressing that discussion should not be prejudiced by public disclosure.

Attempts to reach PAAC members Devesh Maharaj and Saddam Hosein were unsuccessful. Government Senate Leader Darrell Allahar declined comment, stating only “no comment.”

Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Barry Padarath said, “The Government has members on the committee; I am certain it is receiving their attention. However, this is deeply disturbing.”

Minister Khadijah Ameen also commented, saying: “If Judge A helps a defendant prepare for an appearance they have to make in court in front of Judge A…”

Guardian Media again attempted to contact John-Bates, but she did not answer calls. On Tuesday, she also declined to respond to questions outside Parliament.