Kamla Persad-Bissessar

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Kamla Persad-Bissessar (born April 4, 1952 in Siparia) is a Trinidad and Tobago politician and lawyer, was the first woman to serve as Attorney General, acting Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition of Trinidad and Tobago. She is a member of the Opposition United National Congress. Since 1995 she has served as Member of Parliament for Siparia. She served as Attorney General in 1995 until Ramesh Maharaj was able to disassociate himself from ongoing cases, and again in 2001 after Maharaj left the party. On April 25, 2006 she received the support of the majority of Opposition MPs for the post of Leader of the Opposition.^[1] The position of Leader of the Opposition was declared vacant by President George Maxwell Richards^[2] after Basdeo Panday was convicted of failing to make an accurate declaration to the Integrity Commission concerning a bank account held in London.^[3] His Appeal is pending.

Persad-Bissessar was appointed Leader of the Opposition on April 26.

On April 27, 2005, Persad-Bissessar read into Hansard a letter from Dansam Dhansook, a People's National Movement Councillor who alleged that he had paid bribes to Minister of Energy Eric A. Williams and Minister of Works Franklin Khan.

Persad-Bissessar is married to Dr. Gregory Bissessar and has one son.

Preceded by Basdeo Panday

Leader of the Opposition of Trinidad and Tobago 2006–present

Succeeded by Incumbent

[edit] References

1. ^ Lord, Richard. 2006. Leader Kamla: President's move forces UNC crisis decision. Trinidad Express April 26, 2006.
2. ^ Lawyers criticise Max for declaring vacancy Trinidad Express April 26, 2006.
3. ^ Cummings, Stephen. "Trinidad's opposition leader set to go on trial", Caribbean Net News, 2006-01-16. Retrieved on February 19, 2007.

• Kamla's Karma - Anthony Milne, Trinidad Express June 10, 2002.
• Biography from Nalis.