Finance Minister Colm Imbert has called on State-owned bank, First Citizens, to provide him with information on the systems in place at the bank to ensure there is compliance with financial obligations regulations.
He requested the information from the bank following disclosure of a financial transaction by Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, who at a news conference on Monday said she withdrew $93,000 from the bank after an Express reporter questioned her about the transaction and accused the bank of leaking confidential information.
Imbert confirmed his request in a brief statement yesterday. Robinson-Regis, who is the MP for Arouca-Maloney, yesterday received support from the constituency’s youth league. In a release yesterday the PNM group said it was inordinately dissatisfied with the recent breach of confidentiality and subsequent misinformation circulated in the public domain involving the minister.
It said Robinson-Regis had lawfully attained all of the funds in question.
"It is unfortunate that an employee of First Citizens Bank sought to breach the confidentiality agreement to which they are bound, causing Robinson-Regis’ character to be called into question," the group stated.
It also said such breaches were an indictment on the leadership of national institutions which failed to take the necessary steps to ensure the highest levels of professionalism were upheld.
It added: "This is a disheartening and clear illustration of how easily honest, hard-working, public officials can be placed in precarious positions, facing the court of public opinion without just cause."
It said the poor attempt at besmirching the character of Robinson-Regis was unfortunate and has highlighted the resilience and strong ethics of the MP. The group said it wanted an apology from the bank.
The matter arose after an Express report which claimed the minister failed to make the required declaration for allegedly depositing money to the value of $150,000. Robinson Regis said the amount deposited was $93,000. She has since closed her accounts at the bank.