PNM provides proof that Sir Gavin worked for Clico; AG Ramlogan investigating

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has written to Briton Sir Gavin Lightman asking for clarification on his connection to CL Financial and CLICO.

Sir Gavin has been appointed as the sole commissioner for the CLICO/HCU Enquiry.

However the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) objected to the appointment, citing a possible conflict of interest. 

Senator Beckles-Robinson first raised the issue in the Senate while Ramlogan was out of the country. However at that time the AG said he had checked the facts with Sir Gavin who assured him that there would be no conflict.

Read the story: No conflict in appointment of chair of Clico probe: Ramlogan

On Thursday the Senator held a news conference to provide more information on her initial allegations made two weeks ago.

She said court records show "without a doubt" that Lightman appeared for CLICO in 1991, along with attorneys Sonny Hosein, Farees Hosein and Sir Henry Forde, prominent Barbados QC and a former opposition leader, in the matter No 5062 of 1989 between Republic Bank and CLICO and Money Managers and the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange.

Beckles said Sir Gavin was instructed by Edwards, Martineau and Company.

Opposition Leader Keith Rowley, who was present at the media conference, said in his view Sir Gavin should not be permitted to conduct the CLICO/HCU Enquiry.

"An Enquirer has to be without reproach and the bar of potential bias has to be observed," he added. He said the Opposition is shocked Ramlogan had stated that Sir Gavin never appear for CLICO.

Now that the Senator has provided evidence Ramlogan has asked Sir Gavin for his "formal response to what Senator Beckles has drawn to my attention".

Ramlogan made it clear that the Government would not be "pig-headed or arrogant or flippant" about such an important matter. He said if there is a conflict of interest "whether in law or otherwise, I may choose not to take a risk," he said.

Ramlogan told the media he expects to hear from Sir Gavin by Thursday and will urgently deal with the matter. He reiterated what he said earlier that Sir Gavin never indicated to him that he had done any work for CLICO.

The Attorney General said when Beckles first made the allegation he immediately called Sir Gavin who immediately dismissed it.