00:00A different kind of devil is how Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley referred to those who would
00:06have gunned down five-year-old Anika Guerra and her father, 35-year-old Enrico Guerra.
00:12But United National Congress members of Parliament Dinesh Rambli and Rushton Barry are taking
00:17issue with what he said thereafter.
00:19That's what we're dealing with. And don't give them any pass by trying to blame me.
00:25Because I have the responsibility to ensure that those whose job it is to identify and
00:32to chase down and to bring them to justice, that they are on the job. That's my work.
00:38That's my job.
00:39Dr Rowley went on to question whose sons or brothers or cousins are committing these crimes.
00:45Well, those statements have been interpreted by some as the Prime Minister saying he is
00:49not to be blamed for crime in the country.
00:52In response, Mayoral MP Rushton Barry expressed profound disappointment, saying, quote,
00:58His remarks, which place the responsibility of combating crime on the citizens rather
01:03than on his administration, are a shocking abdication of his duty as the head of the
01:09government and the National Security Council, end quote.
01:13He said the prime minister's post carries with it the top authority and responsibility
01:18of protecting the citizenry and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
01:24Parry went on to say, quote, The time for excuses and deflection has passed. It is time
01:30for the prime minister to step aside and allow the people to elect a government that will
01:34fulfil its most fundamental duty, protecting the lives and security of all our citizens,
01:41end quote.
01:42Meanwhile, Shogunist MP Dinesh Rambli said the statements were callous and detached from
01:47reality. He accused the prime minister of desiring to hold on to the reins of power
01:51without wanting the accountability that comes with it. Rambli, who called on Dr Rowley to
01:56resign if he doesn't want to be held to account concerning crime, said, quote, Our nation's
02:01security apparatus under his stewardship has clearly failed to deliver the safety and justice
02:07we desperately need. Truth is, if the prime minister thinks crime is not his responsibility,
02:13he should not be prime minister, end quote.
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