THE Prime Minister said the decision to send Strategic Services Agency (SSA) director Major Roger Best on administrative leave and undertake a review of the agency's operations was based on information the Government received from the police.

Dr Rowley made this disclosure to the media following the opening of the new Diego Martin public library on Monday.

A statement on Sunday from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said, "The National Security Council (NSC) has recommended to the Cabinet that the head of the SSA be replaced immediately and that new leadership and management be installed with despatch."

Dr Rowley is the chairman of the NSC and head of the Cabinet.

The OPM added, "This recommendation has been effected and as of Saturday March 2 the head of the SSA (Best) has been sent on administrative leave."

Best was appointed in July 2019 on a three-year contract.

He was unavailable for comment.

TT's Ambassador to Washington, DC, Brig-Gen Anthony Phillips-Spencer, was recalled on March 2 and appointed acting SSA director by President Christine Kangaloo .

The OPM said Phillips-Spencer is initiating an extensive review and audit of all personnel, equipment and processes in the SSA.

The OPM gave no further details in its statement.

Rowley said, "The Government acted on information from the police. I say no more."

He was asked whether a police presence at Knowsley Building in Port of Spain on Sunday was related to the Government's decision. The SSA's office is located there.

Rowley replied, "It was all part of the response and the remit to the information being taken by the police."

Contrary to claims made by the Opposition UNC and other people, Rowley said nothing was removed from the SSA's office.

He added that additional security was put in in place there to secure the SSA's premises and everything that is there.

Rowley reminded the media that Phillips-Spencer was appointed to act as SSA head on Saturday and the agency continues to function.

He also reiterated that Best was sent on administrative leave and has not been replaced.

Rowley could not say whether or not there would be any other personnel changes at the SSA.

Referring to claims made by the UNC and other people about the review of operations at the SSA being related to Government spying on people or intercepting communications without the knowledge of people, Rowley said, "I heard some conversations from persons trying to stir up discord."

Under the Interception of Communications Act, the SSA director, police commissioner and TT Defence Force chief of staff are the only three people who can legally authorise the interception of communications.

With respect to this matter, Rowley said, "The SSA has a wider function. Interception is only one. I have heard a lot of comments, That (interception of communications) is not the main issue. There are other issues."

Rowley did not elaborate on what those issues were.

The SSA Act defines the agency's mission as contributing to the security of TT and its people, "cr