An intergrity dilemma in T&T; President can't find anyone to serve

President George Maxwell Richards is having difficulty finding citizens willing to serve on Trinidad and Tobago's Integrity Commission.

Richards recently appointed a commission comprising Fr Henry Charles, National Insurance Board executive director, Jeffrey McFarlane, retired Justice of Appeal, Zainool Hosein, University of the West Indies bursar, Lylla Bada and retired Industrial Court member Gladys Gafoor.

But everyone resigned within 10 days, creating what some commentators said was a constitutional crisis. And the opposition demanded the president's resignation, claiming that his actions relating to the commission brought his office into dispute.

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The chairman of the Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) had written to Richards suggesting 21 people as potential candidates for the vacant Integrity Commission.

Devant Maharaj's list included former chairman of the Caribbean Communications Network (CCN), Ken Gordon, and Guardian columnist, Lennox Grant.

But the president wrote Maharaj saying, "As it happens, certain of the persons recommended by the council had already been approached, but for one reason or the other, declined the invitation to serve.

"Independently of your proposals, a prospective candidate withdrew interest, lamenting what was described as unwarranted microscopic intrusion into the personal lives of appointed members of the commission and incessant vilification of their character and reputation."

Richards assured Maharaj that "the process is continuing and your recommendations have been noted".