Gafoor tribunal on hold

The Tribunal appointed by President Max Richards to probe allegations of misconduct against deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission Gladys Gafoor has been placed on hold pending the determination of court action by Gafoor.

Newsday reported Tuesday that confirmation of the delay has come from the chairman of the tribunal, retired Chief Justice Michael de la Bastide.

Gafoor has taken legal action against against the tribunal, President Richards, the Integrity Commission and the Ministry of the Attorney General.

The paper quoted De la Bastide as stating that a procedural hearing of the tribunal at which it would have finalised a budget is on hold "at least until the matter of leave is determined before the courts."

De la Bastide told the paper, “When the matter comes up, we will state our position to the court.”

Gafoor last Friday applied to the High Court for a stay of the proceedings of the tribunal and alleged that the President acted unfairly and illegally by not giving her a chance to see or respond to the full extent of allegations made against her.

Gafoor has alleged that Intergrity Commission Chairman Ken Gordon acted without legal advice in relation to a request sent by former attorney general John Jeremie to the commission calling on Gafoor and commissioner Sieunarine Jokhoo to recuse themselves from the Jeremie matter.

The commission voted in December to force Gafoor and Jokhoo off the matter; Gafoor and Rolingson had said legal advice should be sought first before putting the question of recusal to a vote.

Gafoor has said the President suspended her and appointed the tribunal on the basis of the three letters which she never saw. In her legal action she has accused the President of acting unfairly and abusing his powers.