The release said its media release sent to the Government Information Services Limited (GISL) last week was "quite unexpectedly and contrary to normal practice, was altered and issued on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communication letterhead."
The release from the office of the president sent on Sunday states:
"In the interest of clarity, the Office of the President advises that, during visits paid to His Excellency the President, beginning 9th January, 2012, the matter of disharmony within the Integrity Commission was discussed with Mrs. Gladys Gafoor, appointed member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission.
"Complaints made by Members of the Commission were brought to the attention of Mrs. Gafoor who was given the opportunity to respond, which she did. The intention to take further action was also drawn to Mrs. Gafoor’s notice.
"On 9th February, 2012, a letter of suspension was sent to her. When it was established that Mrs. Gafoor had received the letter of suspension, a media release dated 9th February, 2012, on Office of the President letterhead, was sent to the GISL, as is customary, for dispatch to the media, without alteration.
"This media release, quite unexpectedly and contrary to normal practice, was altered and issued on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communication letterhead.
"On 9th February 2012, also, Gazette Notice No.17, Vol.51, appearing in Trinidad and Tobago Gazette (Extraordinary), was issued, stating that a Tribunal had been appointed, the mandate of the Tribunal and the nature of the complaints made."
Here is the release published on the government website, which is managed by GISL. It is dated Feb. 9, 2012 and was published on Feb. 11:
"In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution enablng him so to do, namely section 136, His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards TC, CMT, Ph.D, President of Trinidad and Tobago, advises that, with immediate effect, he has appointed a Tribunal comprising The Right Honourable Mr. Justice Michael De La Bastide, T.C., Chairman and Members, The Honourable Mr. Justice Humphrey Stollmeyer , J.A and The Honourable Mme. Justice Maureen Rajnauth Lee. Counsel to the Tribunal is Mr. Reginald Armour, SC.
"The Tribunal is mandated to inquire into complaints made by Members of the Integrity Commission that Mrs. Gladys Gafoor, appointed Member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission on the 15th March, 2010 has, from or after that date through January 2012 and continuing, engaged in certain conduct.
"On 9th February 2012, also, Gazette Notice No.17, Vol.51, appearing in Trinidad and Tobago Gazette (Extraordinary), was issued, stating that a Tribunal had been appointed, the mandate of the Tribunal and the nature of the complaints made."
Here is the release published on the government website, which is managed by GISL. It is dated Feb. 9, 2012 and was published on Feb. 11:
"In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution enablng him so to do, namely section 136, His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards TC, CMT, Ph.D, President of Trinidad and Tobago, advises that, with immediate effect, he has appointed a Tribunal comprising The Right Honourable Mr. Justice Michael De La Bastide, T.C., Chairman and Members, The Honourable Mr. Justice Humphrey Stollmeyer , J.A and The Honourable Mme. Justice Maureen Rajnauth Lee. Counsel to the Tribunal is Mr. Reginald Armour, SC.
"The Tribunal is mandated to inquire into complaints made by Members of the Integrity Commission that Mrs. Gladys Gafoor, appointed Member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission on the 15th March, 2010 has, from or after that date through January 2012 and continuing, engaged in certain conduct.
"The Tribunal is mandated with the utmost urgency and all appropriate dispatch, to report to and to advise His Excellency of the facts found, whether such conduct and/or behavior by Mrs. Gladys Gafoor constitutes conduct and /or misbehaviour within the meaning of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chapter 22:01, as amended and in particular section 8 (2) (d) and (e) thereof and of section 136 (7) of the Constitution.
"His Excellency further advises that, the Tribunal having been duly appointed and the matter referred, he has suspended Mrs. Gladys Gafoor, until further notice, from performing functions of the office of Member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission, without prejudice to her entitlement to her salary and emoluments of office.
"On behalf of The Office of The President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago."
"His Excellency further advises that, the Tribunal having been duly appointed and the matter referred, he has suspended Mrs. Gladys Gafoor, until further notice, from performing functions of the office of Member and Deputy Chairman of the Integrity Commission, without prejudice to her entitlement to her salary and emoluments of office.
"On behalf of The Office of The President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago."
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