‘Tip of the iceberg’: Leader of the Independent Liberal Party, Jack Warner, speaks to attorney Rekha Ramjit, chairman of the party, at yesterday’s news conference at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. —Photo: ANISTO ALVES
Taped conversations between him and former national security adviser Gary Griffith discussing the alleged marijuana find at the Prime Minister’s residence in 2013 were played by Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner yesterday.
At a news conference at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapuna, Warner also revealed recent text messages between him and Griffith in relation to the matter.
Warner played four tapes with his conversations with Griffith—the first, he claimed, was recorded on March 8 this year.
In that tape, Griffith was bashing Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s office attendance record, saying she had five-day weekends.
In that discussion, Warner asked Griffith about that “thing” found at Persad-Bissessar’s house which was not yet in the public domain. Griffith immediately replied, “What? The marijuana.”
Verify it’s not hemp
The second tape was a recording of Warner and Griffith recorded on Sunday after the Sunday Express report of Warner’s sworn affidavit where he admitted to covering up the alleged marijuana find.
Warner had taken issue with a release Griffith sent to the press following the Sunday Express report, stating he was not part any cover-up.
Griffith is heard saying he was not denying anything, but he had to clear his name and not be involved in any cover-up.
Griffith said further it was the duty of the police to confirm or deny if the substance was illegal.
He said they needed to test it “to verify it’s not hemp”. He said Warner and a security guard had informed him of the marijuana.
He also said repeatedly he had not spoken to the Prime Minister on this matter.
Griffith said if the media spoke to him he will confirm he was aware of the incident.
He again reiterated the police did not verify whether it was marijuana.
“I can’t say it was marijuana, you can’t say it either,” he said to Warner.
In another tape, Griffith told Warner he was called by Express reporter Denyse Renne to confirm whether Warner had informed him of the find.
Warner told Griffith his statements make it look as though what he (Warner) said was not true.
Griffith said he will say that he was aware of the alleged marijuana find.
He again repeated that the police should have taken the substance to the station to test and verify it.
Tell the truth
The third and fourth tapes were of similar content. The fourth tape was recorded yesterday, where Griffith is heard asking Warner whether he was aware of the acting Commissioner of Police saying there were no reports of the alleged marijuana find.
Griffith told Warner he will not turn his back on him, to which Warner said, “All you have to do Gary is tell the truth.”
Warner also produced text messages between him and Griffith, where he (Griffith) stated he was hoping they can all get back together. He also stated he has to clear his name as he was not part of any cover-up, but assured Warner he remains a friend and ally.
Griffith also messaged Warner, asking him to keep their discussions confidential, as he will never turn his back on him.
Warner said the confidentiality will be respected. Warner stated in his message there was no possibility of him and the Prime Minister making back up.
Search for PM’s departure records
Warner also shared with the media the “pains” he went through to prove the Prime Minister was not in the country on April 12—the date he swore in his affidavit the illegal drug was found at the her residence.
He said he went to the VIP lounge of Piarco International Airport to get the records, but was told the Foreign Affairs Ministry took the books.
Warner said he made attempts to get the information from the ministry, in vain.
He said he called the New York consulate office to speak to Consul Nan Ramgoolam, but was told she was in a meeting. He said he tried to get information from Caribbean Airlines—also in vain.
Warner said he went to the Parliament records and there was no record in the Hansard for the Prime Minister being out of the country, but he was told by Parliament staff she was not present in Parliament on April 12.
Warner said the information he revealed was just the “tip of the iceberg”.
He claimed that up to two weeks ago, ministers from the People’s Partnership were trying to get him to return, as he is needed as their “poster boy” to win the East-West Corridor in the general election.