T&T Integrity Commissioners to take office Friday

President Max Richards will swear-in members of Trinidad and Tobago's new Integrity Commission on Friday morning.

A release from the Office of the President announcing the event did not name the commissioners, but reiterated that the selection of the members of the Commission "is not a matter to be rushed"

The entire commission resigned on February 3, 2009 following a harsh indictment by a high court judge in connection with a matter relating to former cabinet minister Dr Keith Rowley. Since then their offices have remained vacant.

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The release pointed out that the head of state wrote to the leader of the opposition on April 9th "advising of the names of those persons whom His Excellency desires to appoint, with the request that the Leader of the Opposition indicate whether he has any objection."

It said the president did not get a response from the opposition leader. Basdeo Panday confirmed earlier this month that he received the president's request and indicated that he had several names for consideration.

However, the Trinidad Express quoted Panday as saying on Wednesday that he did not receive that April 9 letter from the president. "I am looking for that letter and I have asked the President's Office to supply me with a copy," Panday told the paper.

The statement from the president's office added: "In the exercise of selection, there has been due deliberation and consultation and the Office of the President assures the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago that all appropriate consideration has been given and that the constitutional mandate in this regard has been scrupulously observed".

In an obvious reference to a threat of legal action by the opposition against the president for the delay in making the appointments the release said, "It is regrettable that the facts of this matter are being misrepresented to the media by persons who ought to know better".

On Tuesday Siparia MP and former attorney general Kamla Persad-Bissessar wrote to the president and the solicitor general giving the head of state 21 days to respond to her demand for the appointment of members of the commission or face legal action.

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