Keith Scotland Refutes Claims of Shielding Andre Monteil from T&TEC Debt, Challenges PM

Opposition MP Keith Scotland has vehemently denied allegations surrounding his supposed protection of former PNM treasurer Andre Monteil from a hefty $2.4 million debt owed to the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC). This comes in response to claims made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, implying that Scotland had improperly intervened to shield Monteil from legal consequences.

During a recent PNM news conference, Scotland refuted these allegations, maintaining that he had only met Monteil once and had done nothing to warrant such claims. He boldly challenged the Prime Minister to repeat the allegations outside of Parliament, where statements would not be guarded by parliamentary privilege.

Addressing the legal aspect of the matter, Scotland disclosed that his attorneys are currently examining a pre-action protocol letter issued by T&TEC. The letter indicates that the commission is contemplating legal action over allegations that proceedings to recover the debt were mishandled and initiated without the necessary authorisation.

Scotland asserted that the Covid-19 pandemic had posed unforeseen challenges to the legal process, impacting statutory limitation periods and hindering the progress of many legal matters. He added that upon his appointment to the Cabinet in July 2024, he promptly suspended his private legal practice, thereby distancing himself from any subsequent developments relating to the case.

The controversy continues to fuel political debate, with the potential for further legal action looming as T&TEC’s claims are scrutinised and reviewed.