http://www.tntmirror.com/2012/03/16/mums-the-word-on-watties-residenceNO one at the official level wished to comment on TnT Mirror’s investigation of the circumstances surrounding Vidwattie Newton’s occupation of the official residence or the fact that her children were now part of the PM’s household establishment.
Contacted for a comment, attorney Devesh Maharaj’s secretary conveyed Mirror’s queries to him on the internships for the PM’s nephews. This reporter was told to leave a contact number and he would return the call later on Tuesday. Up to press time there was no call.
According to insiders, Newton also occupies an office on the compound of the Diplomatic Centre and official residence where the staff which runs the PM’s household is housed. Not only has she hired her own two assistants at taxpayers’ expense, but she also issues instructions to persons on the official establishment.
Sources say on weekends Newton and her family continue to enjoy the hospitality of the official residence and access its services for their social engagements, including using the official car to attend fetes.
Newton, who accompanies Persad-Bissessar on all her trips and major official engagements, was described as a ‘travel assistant’, an unknown public service designation, when Leader of Government Business Dr. Roodal Moonilal attempted to explain the Government’s payment of $233,600 to cover the cost of Newton’s travel to India.
Newton and her family are not the only relatives enjoying the hospitality of the taxpayer. Another niece of the PM, Alicia Harry, also plays a role in the PM’s establishment.
Harry, who was the passenger in the PM’s SUV which was mysteriously hijacked on the eve of the May 24, 2010 general election, has however denied that she was among the PM’s chosen team to visit India. She told TnT Mirror, “I did not accompany her to India. I have seen it reported but that is not true.”
Mirror learnt that Harry is often credited as the official photographer of the Prime Minister although the photos are usually taken by Nicholas Ramjass, but mainly functions out of the office of the Siparia MP, where she assists in treating with issues of constituents and performs personal errands for the PM.
Harry also denied any knowledge about relatives taking over the PM’s official residence at St. Ann’s.
“I am not aware of that at all,” she told Mirror.
National Security Advisor Griffith was also mum on the subject, saying only, “I cannot comment on that.”
Head of the PM’s household and former chief of defence staff Brig. Carl Alfonso also refused to comment on the matter, referring Mirror to the public relations functionaries at the Office of the Prime Minister.
“I would prefer to refer those queries to the PR people, since I would not want to comment on any media issue.
Pressed further on the PM’s American-born nephew, he said, “The only sister I know about and have spoken with is Vidwatie Newton, but the name Sally does not ring a bell.”
When the Mirror attempted to speak with Vidwatie, and after the reporter identified herself, there suddenly seemed to be a bad connection, as she kept saying, “Hello, hello” as if unable to ascertain the questions.
Insiders say that with the PM’s infrequent visits to the official residence and the PM’s office, she has become dependent on information from her relatives and an even larger group of power grabbers known as the Cabal (to the outsiders) and the Friends of Kamla (FoKs) to those on the inside.
In our next issue of the Weekend Mirror we profile the FoKs headed by the man known as the PM’s friend-in-chief.
