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National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds lashed Naparima MP Rodney Charles over his criticism of the Prime Minister's call for parents to take their role seriously.
Dr Rowley made the remarks during his feature address at the opening of the St Clair police station, on Serpentine Road, last Friday in which he called on parents and guardians to address wayward behaviour among their children from an early age before allowing it to spiral out of control.
During the UNC's media briefing on Sunday, Charles criticised Rowley for his comments on parents and argued that the government was responsible for creating poor socio-economic conditions and accused him of trying to shift blame.
In response, during a media briefing at the Ministry of National Security, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, on Tuesday, Hinds argued that the Prime Minister's concerns over proper parenting were valid and accused Charles of deliberately trying to mislead the public.
He noted that contrary to Charles' claims, the Prime Minister made no reference to single mothers during his address and questioned whether he was under the influence of alcohol before attending his media briefing on Sunday.
"He jumps out Sunday morning, using the media, and tells the country that the Prime Minister attacked parents, attacked single mothers.
"I was present in the front row as Minister of National Security when the learned and experienced as a parent Prime Minister spoke.
"I heard nothing about single mothers, yet the member for Naparima had the temerity, the gumption, the gall to come in front of us as a nation and absolutely told a lie.
"I want you in the media to ask him where he heard that?
"What kind of rum he drink?
"Where he got that special high?"
Hinds also accused Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her colleagues of hiding from the media, noting that while he and other ministers were prepared to answer questions in person, he seldom saw her in similar fashion at media conferences.
He also defended the Prime Minister's advice to young people to use their time wisely and avoid falling into bad company.
Referring to an incident where he was contacted by a young woman who wanted to join the regiment but only had three CXC O-Level passes, Hinds urged young people to take the Prime Minister's call seriously and work towards developing themselves.
"I am saying to you, when the Prime Minister says don't waste your time, that's what he's talking about, use it productively, use it to grow, use it to flourish.
"You never built a dog coop yet, you never built a scooter, you never built a door, but you have a gun, you have a cutlass, but you only want to maim and kill and destroy and burn down and mash up everything.
"The Prime Minister was saying: get that little folly out of your little head and do something useful and, if you can't do it and your parents couldn't sort you out to do it, to protect the rest of us, the State has to do it."
In a media release on Tuesday, Charles dismissed Hinds' criticism and called for answers directly from Rowley on what crime-fighting strategies were being implemented.
"Instead of wasting precious time engaging Hinds, Charles is demanding straight answers from Hinds’ boss, PM Keith Rowley, on measurable crime fighting strategies that will improve citizens’ safety and security.
"Dr Rowley is head of the National Security Council and ultimately responsible for our safety and security. It is time for him to accept this responsibility.
"Is he afraid, hence the reason why he has placed Hinds as his mouthpiece?"
Charles again called for the Prime Minister's resignation if he was unable ensure the safety of citizens.
The post Hinds hits back at UNC over criticism of PM's statement on parenting appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.