Labour Minister Errol McLeod flew out of T&T on Tuesday after his son Jason McLeod died in London. Details of the death remain unclear as relatives and McLeod’s colleagues said they were unaware of what transpired.
A close family friend said yesterday Jason was shot dead. Late yesterday, rumours also were circulating that the younger McLeod had died in a car crash while a source at the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union said they heard he had succumbed to diabetes. None of these theories could be confirmed.
At Pond Street, La Romaine, yesterday, McLeod’s relatives said they were uncertain about how Jason died and were awaiting details. McLeod’s niece, Kathrina McLeod, said she got a call from her sister, Kellyann, confirming that their cousin was dead.
“We don’t know how he died. We don’t have the facts but my uncle (Errol) was very traumatised. He left immediately for London. We are waiting on a call from him to find out what happened,” Kathrina said. She added that she had never met Jason and was uncertain whether he was living or studying abroad.
Another relative at La Romaine who requested anonymity said the family could not divulge details of the death. “We cannot say what happened because we simply do not know,” she added. Several of McLeod’s colleagues also seemed unaware of his loss. Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj said he did not even know that McLeod had left the country or that his son had died.
MP for Moruga/Tableland Clifton De Coteau said the last time he spoke to McLeod was at the UNC’s Monday Night Forum. “I have no idea about his son,” De Coteau said. Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, however, said he heard news of the death. “We express deepest condolences to our dear colleague, Errol, and his family on the untimely death of his son,” Moonilal added. He too could provide no details.
Former High Commissioner to London, Attorney General Garvin Nicholas, also said yesterday afternoon he had no details of the death. Nicholas said he could not call anybody in London as most would be asleep because of the time difference.