Sherrine Hart threatens COP with legal action

Congress of the People (COP) executive members Vernon de Lima told reporters in Port of Spain Thursday Sherrine Hart, wife of former Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) executive chairman Calder Hart, does not have a Malaysian passport and cannot return to her home country.

He stated that he got the information from someone he can trust.

But within hours of the the media conference Mrs Hart's lawyer responded, challenging the information provided by De Lima.

The Trinidad Express reported that it received a letter from attorney Kamini Persaud on behalf of Hart.

It said the letter stated:

"I act on behalf of Mrs Sherrine Hart for the purpose of this matter. It has come to my attention that Mr Vernon De Lima, at a press conference held today, Thursday March 25, 2010, at the COP headquarters in Woodbrook, has made certain statements against my client.

"It is clear that my client is being made a target of political mudslinging and grandstanding and it is quite unfair that she should be made to face the brunt of these untruths.

"In the circumstances, I urge that you exercise restraint and not be party to this most disgraceful affair by publishing or printing these malicious and defamatory statements.

"My client instructs me that she spent six months in Malaysia in 2009 receiving medical treatment and therefore it is quite untrue that she cannot return to Malaysia nor is there any truth to any of the many other defamatory statements made by Mr De Lima.

"I wish to put you on notice that such statements are wicked, malicious, false and defamatory and is calculated to injure the reputation of our client.

"Please take this letter as notice that I will take such further steps as I may be advised or instructed to protect my client’s reputation as may be necessary."

The Express said it informed De Lima of the lawyer’s letter and it quoted De Lima as saying that if any lawyer disputes his statements, then they will "meet in court".

COP has produced documents that it claims show a family link between Sherrine Hart and two directors of CH Development, which received a $368 million UDeCOTT contract to build the Legal Affairs Tower.

The letter from Attorney Persaud did not address that issue issue.