Dear Editor: Anil Roberts’ behaviour was appalling; what manner of man is this?

“[…] I do not feel that a politician should stoop so low with respect to his attack publicly on someone who is not in the political gayelle…”

The following Letter to the Editor regarding comments made by UNC Senator Anil Roberts on alleged matters concerning the relationship between Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his wife Sharon Rowley was submitted to Wired868 by Louis W Williams of St Augustine:

It is generally accepted, globally, that the cut and thrust of politics, to say the very least, bears little resemblance to a bishop’s tea party. However, it is also generally accepted that certain matters are out of bounds. 

One such matter is the dragging of persons who are not active in the political arena into the political gayelle. In mature democracies that principle is respected. Of course, Donald Trump is the exception that proves the rule. 

However, in accordance with this ethical principle/standard, the spouses and children of politicians are off limits, unless they themselves descend into the political arena and/or are involved in some corrupt activity.

It is against this background that I was appalled by what, in my view, was a very unbecoming attack on Mrs Sharon Rowley, the wife of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, by Senator Anil Roberts—in a recent video that was widely circulated online. 

No doubt this matter might find its way into the courts by way of a defamation lawsuit. Nonetheless, I do not feel that a politician should stoop so low with respect to his attack publicly on someone who is not in the political gayelle.

Contrary to the views of some of his defenders, this is not a matter of his right to free speech, but rather it is a question of common decency. Are we really so immature politically that Donald Trump has nothing on us? This matter is also not analogous to the Room 201 scandal, which allegedly involved a then active politician.

There is no wiggle room for Mr Roberts. He has no option but to resign, or if he fails to do so then his senatorial appointment must be revoked by the Leader of the Opposition.

I would hope that the UNC would not want to be viewed as complicit in this sordid misadventure of Mr Roberts, by allowing him to retain his senatorial appointment.