Princes Town MP Barry Padarath has insulted the Parliament and the Clerk of the House by misleading the public into believing he can simply pay back the $10,000 monthly salaries paid to a relative. He has breached the Parliamentary Code through the hiring of a relative to work in his constituency office.
Mr Padarath is quoted as saying, “I also contacted the Clerk of the House on the matter and informed the Parliament I’ll be returning the salary which was paid to the person each month, so the total I’m repaying is about $60,000.”
There is no law-abiding society that allows offenders to determine their own judgment. Mr Padarath did not enquire of the Clerk but “informed” the Parliament that he will give back the money.
MP Padarath has to come clean on this ridiculous offer to pay back the money as he claims and not mislead the population into thinking his breach is resolved.
It is clear that he misses the entire principle behind having a Parliamentary Code. It must be noted such codes establish the guidelines for matters of integrity in the public’s interest. Clearly he misses the principle involved.
Ronald Huggins,
St Joseph