Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Attacks Independent Senators After Special Operations Bill Vote

Government Senator Phillip Alexander defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s attacks on independent senators after the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago urged her to retract remarks calling them “satanic” and “demonic” over the Special Operations Bill defeat. Alexander said the bench should act as nine individual voices, while Opposition Senator Sanjiv Boodhu condemned the comments as harmful to parliamentary democracy and public service.

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago has urged Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to withdraw her comments calling independent senators “satanic,” “scumbags” and “demons” after they voted against the Special Operations Bill. LATT said Parliament depends on hearing views outside government and warned the Senate’s reputation must be protected after Wade Mark’s casting vote passed the bill 16-15.

Independent Senator Anthony Vieira said he will not support the Government’s Procurement Bill, arguing it weakens safeguards against corruption by expanding exemptions, raising the simplified procurement threshold, and giving more discretion to officials. He said the bill could be improved with amendments, but Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s refusal to accept changes from independent senators made that pointless.

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago is urging Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to retract remarks it says disparaged Independent Senators after the Government failed to secure their support for proposed laws. LATT says the Constitution requires the Senate to play a real role in lawmaking and warns that dismissing the Independent Bench undermines democratic checks and balances.

Former prime minister Keith Rowley has accused the UNC Government of abusing power after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar attacked Independent senators for voting down the Special Operations Bill. He said her comments undermine the Constitution and risk deepening racial and geographic divisions, warning that crime cannot be tackled by “we and them” politics.

Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles and former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley have sharply criticised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for rejecting future amendments from the nine independent senators, saying the move could weaken Parliament’s watchdog role. The row follows the Senate deadlock on the Special Operations Bill and raises concerns about political pressure on the independent bench and constitutional checks in Trinidad and Tobago.

Former prime minister Keith Rowley accused the Kamla Persad-Bissessar government of using “drunk with power” tactics to intimidate Independent Senators after they rejected the Special Operations Bill, saying its attacks on the Senate breach the Constitution. He also warned that applying crime-fighting measures only in certain constituencies or communities could deepen racial and political divisions in Trinidad and Tobago.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the Government will reject any amendments from the nine Independent senators after they joined Opposition senators to oppose the Special Operations Bill. The standoff comes before tomorrow’s Senate debate on the procurement legislation, as the Government argues its crime-fighting agenda is working and more police posts are opening.

Government MPs David Lee and Barry Padarath accused Independent Senators of repeatedly obstructing government legislation, including the Special Operations Bill and an upcoming procurement amendment, and defended Senate President Wade Mark’s tie-breaking vote. Opposition MP Camille Robinson-Regis rejected claims that casting votes can be used to create a government majority, saying precedent shows they should preserve the status quo.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says her government will reject all amendments from the nine Independent Senators when the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Bill reaches the Senate this week. The stance deepens tension over reforms that government says will speed delivery, while critics warn they could weaken parliamentary scrutiny and procurement oversight.

Minister Barry Padarath defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s criticism of independent senators over the proposed Special Operations Bill, saying some have personal or political interests rather than an independent voice. He also backed Senate President Wade Mark’s tie-breaking vote, saying the Constitution allows it and similar votes were cast under the PNM. Padarath said the government will keep pushing crime-fighting measures.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar escalated her criticism of the nine Independent senators who voted against the Special Operations Bill, calling them “satanic and vile” and accusing them of shielding violent criminals. The bill passed 16-15 after Senate President Wade Mark used his casting vote, and Persad-Bissessar said she is unbothered by the controversy while promising the budget date will be announced next week.

Political analysts are split after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar attacked Independent Senators and said her government would stop considering their amendments, following their unanimous rejection of the Special Operations Bill. Dr Winford James called the move an unjustified attack on Parliament’s scrutiny role, while Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said it may signal a strategy to focus on bills needing only simple majorities until the next presidential transition.

Opposition Senator Dr Amery Browne accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of undermining Trinidad and Tobago’s democracy after she branded Independent Senators who voted against the Special Operations Bill “demons” and “scumbags” and said her government would reject their amendments. The bill passed 16-15 after Senate President Wade Mark used his casting vote, amid wider criticism of the Prime Minister’s response.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says law-abiding citizens will face minimal disruption under the new Special Operations Bill, which passed Parliament and allows communities to be designated as “closed areas” with permit requirements. Critics, including political analyst Derek Ramsamooj and PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales, say the government must explain how the measure will work and protect constitutional rights.

The Special Operations Bill passed the Senate after a 15-15 deadlock, with Senate President Wade Mark’s casting vote breaking the tie, but Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sharply criticized all nine Independent senators for voting against it and said her Government will no longer accept their amendments. She also defended changes to procurement law as helping small businesses, and said Proman’s job cuts reflect company decisions amid gas supply constraints.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sharply criticised the nine Independent senators after they all voted against the Special Operations Bill, which passed the Senate 16-15 with Wade Mark’s casting vote. She said the Government will no longer accept their amendments on future bills, while also defending controversial procurement changes and dismissing Proman’s job cuts as a company decision.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar condemned the nine Independent Senators after they voted against the Special Operations Bill, saying her government will no longer accept their amendments. The bill passed the Senate on Wade Mark’s casting vote after a 15-15 tie, despite opposition concerns about executive power, weak oversight and civil liberties.

Independent Senators Anthony Vieira and Dr Marlene Attzs defended the Independent Bench after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar called them “satanic,” “demons” and “scumbags” following the Senate’s rejection of the Special Operations Bill. They said Independent Senators are constitutionally required to scrutinise laws on merit, warned that the Prime Minister’s rhetoric deepens division, and criticised any move to ignore their amendments.