00:00Minister in the Ministry of National Security and MP for the CELOTS community Keith Scutland
00:07says he has been involved in the situation from the start.
00:11He says it began with a fracker during Juve and has been sensationalised to appear like
00:18a war has broken out.
00:20The minister tells us he was amazed to hear via the news that there was either a gang
00:25war, a war over CPAP contracts or a political war in the area.
00:31He adds that despite reports in the media of accounts given by some residents and some
00:37police, there are no increasing tensions.
00:41There is no such issue, there is always, there may always be a disagreement and I say to
00:47CELOTS that they are entitled to legitimately have disagreements, there is nothing wrong
00:53with that, it must not be blown out of proportion, that is what is being done.
00:58So I have no doubt that maybe those were the reports coming to the officer but I can say
01:05to you that having done it myself that there is no such deep division and there is unity.
01:17Mr Scutland says he personally visited each community in CELOTS on Sunday, unaccompanied
01:24by anyone, including security, to ensure there are no safety issues as is being touted.
01:31He reiterates there was no war brewing, adding that it seems so easy to paint a negative
01:37image of the community.
01:39What about the claims of residents that they were no longer safe as they had to walk along
01:45the waterfront to access their homes, but West residents called for a police post to
01:50be set up.
01:52That is simply not so and I am speaking firsthand and this is not a novel conversation because
02:01as I spoke to your other colleagues and other aspects of the media, the same doubting and
02:07the same interrogation that you are producing now is what I was faced with and I had to
02:13say do not take my word for it.
02:15Well I wouldn't call it interrogation.
02:18The minister was asked if he was aware that senior police officers have given the assurance
02:23of a heightened presence in the community to ensure the safety of residents.
02:28There's no chasm between a heavy police presence and what I have said because of how it started,
02:34meaning a fracas between young persons and the potential for it to escalate.
02:42It is only wise that there's an increased police presence.
02:45What is there's no chasm there in what I am saying.
02:48I am aware of that and I applaud that.
02:52One questioned further about reports that the controversy began since 2005 over the
02:58awarding of CPAP contracts allegedly in favour of some persons over others.
03:04The minister sought to clear the air by explaining his position on the matter.
03:10I have tried to be even-handed in the little, in the little, and I say little, that I can
03:15do in the area because I am trying my best with limited resources that we have to ensure
03:21that there's equity and I'm very sensitive to that feeling that has been expressed.
03:27It's not the first time I've heard it but I've dealt with it.
03:31Nicole M Romany, TV6 News.
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