PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – FIFA Vice-President and Minister of Works and Transport in Trinidad & Tobago, Jack Warner, has been approved by Attorney-General Anand Ramlogan to retain both of his positions after opposition members demanded he step down.
 
Following the nation’s May 24 general elections, Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley challenged the Chaguanas West parliamentarian’s right to hold a ministerial position while still operating as the Vice-President of the world’s governing body for football, FIFA.

According to the Trinidad Express, Ramlogan was advised by four Senior Counsels, namely former President Sir Ellis Clarke, former Attorney-General Russell Martineau, jurist Fenton Ramsahoye QC and British QC Michael Beloff.

The four men reportedly found that “there was nothing illegal” and Warner would not be violating any protocol by holding both positions.

“It is difficult to see how a conflict of interest is likely to arise as a result of a Cabinet Minister being a Vice-President of FIFA,” Clarke stated, noting that Warner’s position did not violate the national Integrity in Public Life Act.

Opposition members also questioned if Warner would be violating the Code of Ethics for Parliamentarians by holding both jobs, but the Senior Counsels determined that the code is an advisory document and is not enforceable by law.
 
Martineau stated that it would be a judgment call by Prime Minister Kamla Persaud-Bissessar as to whether or not Warner’s attention toward his job as a minister is compromised by his position with FIFA.

“For that judgment, she is accountable to Parliament and the public,” he noted.
Following the decision, the Prime Minister said she agreed with the finding and had no issue with Warner holding both positions as long as his “work ethic” remained high.
“I see no reason why Mr. Warner should be called upon to choose or why myself, in my capacity as Prime Minister, should ask him to step down. So, he will remain as our Minister of Works,” she said.

Rowley stated his displeasure with the finding, reasserting that Warner is in violation of the Code of Ethics and he should still be asked to step down from one of his positions.