Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy today refused to respond to questions about allegations made against him by Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley regarding his conduct towards We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) MPs, instead dismissing the claims and criticising both the opposition and media questioning.
In a letter dated February 6 to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Sarabo-Halley reported what she described as a “serious incident of misconduct” allegedly involving McCoy during proceedings in the precincts of the National Assembly on February 3.
She alleged that the minister directed an inappropriate remark toward WIN Member of Parliament Toshana Famey-Corlette. The letter further alleged that McCoy pointed at WIN MP Deon LaCruz and said, “you don’t know me, I will deal with you.”
Sarabo-Halley characterised the statements as incompatible with parliamentary standards and requested that the matter be formally noted, investigated under the Standing Orders or relevant codes of conduct, and addressed in a manner that reaffirms respect and safety within the Assembly. She said the alleged conduct undermines the dignity of members and the integrity of the parliamentary environment.
When contacted by Stabroek News today and questioned about the allegations, McCoy did not respond to the claims. Instead, he criticised the opposition and defended the government’s performance during the budget debate. He also accused Stabroek News of being a propaganda rag for WIN.
“We’ve had a successful budget debate. We have decimated the opposition,” McCoy said, adding that the government had demonstrated its competence and justified public trust through its management of the country and defence of the national budget.
Pressed further, the minister dismissed the line of questioning, referring to Stabroek News as a “propaganda rag” and stating that he would not spend more time addressing it. “You heard me? That’s my response, and do not interrupt my peace for the rest of the day,” he said when Stabroek News attempted to follow up.
