Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that Cabinet will meet to consider whether the investigative report into the deaths of former MP Lisa Morris-Julian and her two children should be laid in Parliament.
She spoke on Wednesday after the funeral of UNC stalwart Daphne Phillips, acknowledging sustained public and media interest in the report.
“And I know there’s a media issue and a public interest issue about the report into the tragic death of former member of parliament, late member of parliament, Lisa Morris,” Persad-Bissessar said.
“I know there are calls for the report. So, I will advise the honourable minister to bring the report to the Cabinet for consideration by the Cabinet, with a view to us laying it in Parliament. I think that’s a better way, should we so decide, but it will come to Cabinet for consideration.”
She did not name the minister, though the report falls under the remit of Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander.
The Prime Minister’s comments come as President of the Fire Services Association, Keone Guy, said the report should be made public in the interest of transparency and restoring public trust, not to assign blame.
“We are of the view that given the family’s now public statements, the concern, which is a real concern, can be laid to rest, and it clears the Cabinet to reconsider their position and ultimately we are hopeful that that results in the release of that report,” Guy said.
He said the Fire Service remains under severe strain due to the limited availability of appliances across the country, though he acknowledged some progress over the past year.
“What we have seen is an increase in the allocations to purchase appliances; increased by almost 400%. That will ensure that we will be able to purchase and see the arrival of additional four or five appliances,” Guy said, adding that a team of officers is currently in Spain scouting new vehicles.
On Sunday, Morris-Julian’s sister, Jozanne Beharry, told CNC3 News the family wants to see the report and supports it being made public.
Lisa Morris-Julian and her children died in a house fire at their Farfan Street, Arima home on December 16, 2024.
