Uff probe on hold pending court ruling on privilege

A high court judge on Monday temporarily halted the Uff Inquiry into the construction sector and UDeCOTT to hear arguments from lawyers about whether information about the controversial Cleaver Heights housing project is protected by privilege.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning suggested in the Parliament last year that former housing minister Dr Keith Rowley should account for missing millions although the housing ministry provided detailed evidence to show there was no missing money.

Rowley and the contractor also presented evidence to show a clerical error caused the confusion, a fact corroborated by the Housing Development Corporation. An investigator with the commission also cleared Rowley of any wrongdoing.

The government has disagreed with the findings and has hired a retired Canadian forensic expert to probe the Cleaver heights project.

Justice Humphrey Stollmeyer will hear submissions Tuesday from attorneys representing UDeCOTT, its chairman Calder Hart, the Attorney General, and the Uff commissioners. Udecott and Hart are seeking a declaration that any attorney making submissions to the commission of inquiry, whether written or oral, is protected by absolute privilege in respect of the content of those submissions.

They are also asking the court to make a declaration that any attorney making submissions is protected by qualified privilege in respect of those submissions.

At a hearing last month the commission ruled submissions were not protected by privilege.

The inquiry will remain on hold until the judge gives a verdict on the matter.