AG's letter advises PM to act in Mary King matter

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
SENATOR THE HONOURABLE ANAND RAMLOGAN

10th May, 2011

The Honourable Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar
Prime Minister of the Republic Of Trinidad and Tobago
Office of the Prime Minister
13-15 St Clair Avenue.
Port of Spain

Dear Honourable Prime Minister,

Please find enclosed herewith a copy of my advice regarding the role of Senator The Honourable Mary King in the award of a contract for the development and hosting of a website for the Ministry of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs.

I have concluded that a primá facie case is made out on the facts and documents before me to warrant a referral of this matter to the Integrity Commission for further investigation. The failure of the Minister to disclose her interest is in conflict with the mandatory duty of full and frank disclosure imposed by S 29 of the Act.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the Minister appointed her Personal Secretary to serve on the evaluation committee. The Minister ought to have disqualified herself from the entire process. She should not have made any appointment or recommendation in this regard.

The allegations made by PS Boodram and DPS Horward regarding the active role of the Minister in the process leading to the award of this contract is cause for serious concern.

It casts doubt on the impression given by the Minister's statement that she adopted an "arm's length" approach to this transaction and was nothing more than a mere bystander to it.

The Minister acted improperly in failing to disclose her interest and disqualify herself from the entire process.

Please be guided accordingly.

Anand Ramlogan
Attorney General

Click here to read the AG report