Trinidad Social Development Minister Denies Sex Ring Operating Within His Ministry

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – Minister of the People and Social Development, Dr. Glen Ramadarsingh, Monday described as “baseless” allegations that his ministry was running a “sex ring” with employees being forced to provide sex for favours.

Former national security minister Austin Warner, speaking at a political meeting of his newly formed Independent Liberal party (ILP) over the weekend, said that he had documents to back up the accusation.

“I have names and places and dates of the persons involved,” Warner said, adding that one employee had been fired after complaining about the matter.

“Employees are forced to have sex for favours,” Warner told supporters, as the ILP campaigned for the Local Government election that is likely to be held in October.

But Ramadarsingh told a news conference that he would only respond to allegations where “something is portrayed dramatically and inaccurately.

“The baseless accusations I will not respond to, in fact I have been cautioned by my attorney to leave that work to them in responding to matters of that nature.

“So I will not be treating with baseless allegations, but I thought it was correct to treat with this matter and set the record straight and not further vilify the workers and public servants who provide their service in a professional manner”.

Ramadarsingh also dismissed allegations by Warner, who quit the government in April at the height of a damning report into his stewardship of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), that a government sponsored initiative to help poor people obtain food was being used to benefit friends of the government.

“If any issue is brought to the ministry it is dealt with expeditiously,” Ramadarsingh said, adding that he has personally intervened in getting investigations done on reports of abuse of the system.