OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar warned that the moves to appoint five people to constitute a new Police Service Commission (PSC) could result in the same situation which caused the last PSC to collapse in September.

She issued this warning in her contribution to debate in the House of Representatives on a motion filed by the Prime Minister to approve the nominations of replacements.

The nominees were retired Justice of Appeal Judith Jones, Maxine Attong, Ian Kevin Ramdhanie, Maxine King and Rajiv Persad as PSC members.

"We have nothing personal against any of the nominees. They are good, distinguished men and women of our soil."

But Persad-Bissessar said, "My issue comes down to again...relating to fit for purpose...and the fact that this service commission must be like Caesar's wife...must not have any taint...must not have any doubt that they will not be independent...that they will be non-partisan."

She also said, "I believe the motion is procedurally flawed because we are dealing with all the nominees in one crop. I do not believe that is what the Constitution intended, that we deal with this motion in that manner.'

Persad-Bissessar said nominees to serve on the PSC must not just be qualified, but have experience to go with their qualifications.

She warned, "They must be...and seen to be independent..and if you have persons who will not be seen to be independent...then we are putting ourselves up for another fall..we will end up in the same khaki pants as they say, where we were before...what happened with the previous PSC."

While accepting earlier rulings by Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George about making speculative comments about any of the nominees, Persad-Bissessar said, "It is not wise for us...not to bring to the light..matters that will give the impression to John Public...the man on the PTSC bus...the man in the maxi taxi...the ordinary citizen...it must be brought their attention because..in the interest of the public...we must know there is no cause for worry."

After saying the Opposition will not be bullied and will continue to speak on this issue, Persad-Bissessar claimed the conditions which created the perception of political interference in the PSC still exist.

While acknowledging the constitutional importance of the PSC and Dr Rowley's point about the need to appoint members of a new PSC expeditiously, Persad-Bissessar said the public must be reminded how this point was reached.

"We are hear because they (members of the last PSC) all resigned...en bloc...en masse. It was like a meltdown. All the blocks came down..like Humpty Dumpty I guess...just shatter...the PSC."

Persad-Bissessar reiterated the UNC's claim that the catalyst for "this sad state of affairs" began a year ago when the Prime Minister "by his own admission...said he wrote the PSC...to indicate his displeasure" at commissioner of police (CoP) Gary Griffith.

Persad-Bissessar asked what happened to the order of merit lists for CoP and deputy CoP nominees that were submitted to the President, then wi