He was commenting on a ruling by Magistrate Marcia Murray in the matter involving former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday who was charged with failing to declare his bank account to the Integrity Commission.
Rowley has had a similar experience when in November 2004, the Integrity Commission began investigating him about allegations regarding the siphoning of materials from the Scarborough Hospital site to a development project at Mason Hall, Tobago owned by his wife, Sharon.
Rowley was eventually cleared but he challenged the way the commission dealt with the matter and was awarded $100,000 in compensation by Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee.
That ruling led to the resignation of all members of the commission. When a new commission was appointed there were controversial personal issues that led to all members offering their resignation.
The magistrate ruled in favour of a no-case submission by Panday's legal team and at the same time chastised the Commission for the manner in which it conducted its affairs.
Murray said, “It is the Court’s view that the misconduct of the Integrity Commission was so serious that it would undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and bring it into disrepute.”
She noted that the commission never gave Panday an opportunity to defend himself or make a presentation to a tribunal.
Rowley told the Newsday newspaper he is not surprised to hear of the shortcomings of the commission. He called Murray’s ruling “a disturbing development which requires attention, given that this is the second ruling made against the Integrity Commission.”
Rowley has had a similar experience when in November 2004, the Integrity Commission began investigating him about allegations regarding the siphoning of materials from the Scarborough Hospital site to a development project at Mason Hall, Tobago owned by his wife, Sharon.
Rowley was eventually cleared but he challenged the way the commission dealt with the matter and was awarded $100,000 in compensation by Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee.
That ruling led to the resignation of all members of the commission. When a new commission was appointed there were controversial personal issues that led to all members offering their resignation.
President Max Richards subsequently appointed a new commission headed by Prof Eric St Cyr who also resigned after coming under fire for disclosing confidential information to the media about a probe into UDeCOTT chair Jearlean John before advising John of what was happening.
The present commission, chaired by Ken Gordon, is also in the midst of a major controversy involving its deputy chair, Gladys Gafoor in respect to an investigation into former Attorney General John Jeremie.
Rowley told the paper the workings of the Integrity Commission in the past “have brought the Commission into disrepute and public confidence will be shaken.” He suggested that immediate action be taken to provide the Commission with a “full time, qualified legal staff”.
Rowley told the paper the workings of the Integrity Commission in the past “have brought the Commission into disrepute and public confidence will be shaken.” He suggested that immediate action be taken to provide the Commission with a “full time, qualified legal staff”.
He said he would make recommendations to the President to have ongoing legal support provided to the Commission to prevent further faux-pas arising in the future on simple matters. Communications manager for the Integrity Commission Mervyn Critchlow told Newsday the Commission has no comment at this time.
While Rowley took legal action against the state, Panday has no intention of doing so. He said he doesn't have the financial resources to do it and added that he also wants to put this behind him. "I have carried this burden for the past ten years and I do not want to be burdened by this anymore,” Panday said.
While Rowley took legal action against the state, Panday has no intention of doing so. He said he doesn't have the financial resources to do it and added that he also wants to put this behind him. "I have carried this burden for the past ten years and I do not want to be burdened by this anymore,” Panday said.
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