UK, Canada helping T&T fight crime; British QC coming to advise DPP

Canadian High Commissioner Karen L McDonald, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and British High Commissioner Eric Jenkingson

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is getting a British prosecutor as an adviser in dealing with financial fraud, including the probes into the construction of the Guanapo church and State-owned Petrotrin.

Attorney general Anand Ramlogan made the announcement Wednesday when he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of England and Wales, the British High Commission and the Office of the Attorney General.

The CPS adviser, Vincent Nelson QC, would be assigned to the DPP's office for three years and would support a comprehensive reform of the criminal justice system.

Canada is also offering assistance as part of the agreement. Canadian High Commissioner Karen L McDonald told reporters Canada would contribute TT$7.2 million over three years to reform the criminal justice system.

“Canada’s contribution will be to place a lawyer from the UK’s CPS within the office of the AG to guide reform in several areas, including police investigations and effective use of witnesses,” McDonald said.

She explained that Canada decided to contribute money following a visit to Trinidad by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009 to launch an Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programme.

British High Commissioner Eric Jenkingson said Trinidad and Tobago's "unique geographical position" made crime of concern to all. He stressed that the UK’s assistance is not an indication that there is a deficiency in the local court system.

With respect to the Guanapo church, Ramlogan said the land remained vested in the State and wondered how Town and Country Planning approved plans to construct the building. 

He also raised the question of funds for the church and suggested that former Prime Minister Patrick manning should clear the air on whether any of the money came from the State.

Ramlogan also spoke about the Petrotrin probe, saying several people under investigation are coming forward with evidence and that they could be granted immunity from prosecution.