Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith says he has apologised to Opposition MP Barry Padarath for refering to him as a “princess” during last Saturday’s Budget debate in Parliament and he is now also apologising to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community if anyone was offended by his comment.
Smith’s remark prompted Padarath to declare he would not be bullied and it also caused a firestorm of criticism on social media, among non-governmental organisations and the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (Caiso) group, lobbyists for the LGBT community in T&T.
Asked yesterday by reporters about the negative reaction on the issue and apologies, Smith said at the tea break of yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting in Parliament: “Myself and the MP (Padarath) shook hands and I apologised to him...it happened in the tea room of the Parliament and we move on and get things done.”
He said the apology took place shortly after the incident.
Asked what the remark was meant to convey, if it was a joke, slip or what, Smith confirmed it was a slip as he had been meaning to say Padarath’s constituency Princes Town. He also said he had apologised right after it occurred.
Asked by T&T Guardian if he would now also apologise to the LGBT community, Smith said: “Certainly, I apologise if I have offended anyone. I have apologised to Barry and we are okay and I apologise if anyone took offence; if they did, it was not meant to offend anyone.” (GA)
PM absent again from Parliament
Prime Minister Keith Rowley was a no-show again for yesterday’s Standing Finance Committee meeting, although he did chair the weekly Cabinet session.
The Finance Committee was told by chairman, House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George, on Wednesday that Rowley had asked to be excused that day due to ill health. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) was listed third on the committee’s agenda to be scrutinised on Wednesday regarding expenditure and other issue outline in the Budget.
But committee members were told the OPM had to be deferred until yesterday due to the PM’s absence.
Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie said Wednesday that Rowley had a routine dental procedure and was fine. Cuffie said he chaired the Cabinet meeting (which was held in the Parliament building) and had alerted MPs that he (PM) also had a meeting.
Cuffie could not say if Rowley had root canal or what dental procedure was undergone. Cuffie said: “He spoke well, as normal.”
Asked if Rowley would attend today’s third leg of the five-day Finance session to answer queries on the OPM, Cuffie said Rowley didn’t need to be there as the Finance Minister was there.