National Transformation Alliance (NTA) leader Gary Griffith is responding to accusations made by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley regarding a supposed plot to overthrow the government. On July 3, Rowley claimed that a cult with ties to the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) was amassing weapons and ammunition in preparation for a coup.
Griffith held a press conference on July 6 at the NTA’s new headquarters in Mt Lambert to address these accusations. He believes that Rowley is targeting him unfairly by making false claims about his role in issuing Firearm User’s Licences (FULs) during his time as police commissioner.
Rowley alleged that Griffith granted thousands of FULs against the advice of police divisional heads, leading to an increase in firearm import permits and the conversion of military-style weapons to fully automatic weapons. Griffith refutes these claims and questions why no arrests have been made despite these serious accusations.
The NTA leader expressed concerns about the impact of Rowley’s statements on potential investors and tourists, referring to Trinidad and Tobago as a “terrorist state”. He also criticized the lack of action taken against the alleged wrongdoers within the SSA, contrasting it with the dismantling of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) over mere allegations.
Griffith emphasized that church-goers were being unfairly targeted by Rowley’s accusations, denying claims that licensed firearm owners were engaging in criminal activities. He defended his record as police commissioner, highlighting his efforts to combat corruption within the FUL application process.
In response to the allegations, Griffith accused Rowley of hypocrisy, claiming that the Prime Minister and his ministers had sought favors from him during his tenure as police commissioner. He believes that the government’s focus on the coup plot is merely a distraction from their inability to find any wrongdoing in their audits of the police service.
Griffith also raised concerns about the lack of oversight over the SSA, particularly under the leadership of retired brigadier general Anthony Phillips-Spencer. He believes that proper intelligence-driven policing is crucial in crime prevention but notes the SSA’s questionable role in recent events.
Overall, Griffith remains steadfast in defending his reputation and integrity amid the swirling accusations coming from the highest levels of government.
