Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe has spoken out against the circulation of pornographic material on social media by persons claiming that she is the woman in the video.
Cudjoe said the action was also reported to the police cybercrime unit and an investigation has been launched.
The video with photographs of Cudjoe attached was shared on social media at the weekend, sparking heated online discussions about the Tobago West MP.
The Minister was clearly upset as she responded to the person/s responsible through her Facebook page.
Cudjoe stated that the action was political and insisted that the young woman in the video was not her or known to her.
She said the act was unfortunate, wicked, vile and inhumane.
The Minister stated, “It appears that my political opponents know no limits. They have stooped to an all time low by attaching my picture to pornographic material depicting a young lady unknown to me, and who is clearly NOT me. It is unfortunate, wicked, vile and inhumane for anyone to go so far, as to defame my good name, tarnish my reputation, in an attempt to sully my character. I cannot fathom how on God’s earth, anyone do that! I here strongly condemn the sick person who would have done this and as well, any and everyone who would knowingly take pleasure in endorsing, circulating, and rejoicing in this malignant plot.”
And as a strong, independent woman, Cudjoe said, she was not prepared to remain silent.
She said it was her duty, as someone who aspire to leadership, to speak out on behalf of all women.
“Further, I find it obscene to be asked by some commentators to disregard this development as par for the course in politics! Why should I keep silent? Because it’s the lady-like thing to do? What kind of message would I be sending the other women, our young girls and our children, who aspire to leadership? How dare I be so flippant? I am a woman, a young professional and a human being. I am a somebody’s daughter, sister, aunt, among the many other hats that I wear,” she wrote.
Cudjoe said she had spent the past 35 years building her life, career and sound reputation.
“My good name is all that I have, and I must protect and defend my good name to the hilt. The action(s) of the perpetrator(s) are to be condemned and have been reported to the Police Cybercrime Unit and other relevant agencies for their urgent attention and investigation,” she said.
