The two men met alone and Gordon made his personal notes, which he later revealed through the media after Dr Roodal Moonilal asked about the meeting.
In a media release the association said, "It is wrong and highly improper for the chairman of the Integrity Commission to meet privately with a complainant." the body said in a press release.
It added, "The Council of the Law Association refers to the recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Integrity Commission that he received the Leader of the Opposition privately at his residence on the evening of the 15th May, 2013 to discuss certain matters which are reportedly before the Integrity Commission.”
It noted that the Integrity in Public Life Act bars a chairman from conduct which affords undue preferential treatment to any individual.
“We remind the Integrity Commission, and in particular, the Chairman, that they are bound by the Sections 24 (1) (a) and (b) of the Integrity in Public Life Act which provide that a person holding public office, including the Chairman, shall be fair and impartial in exercising his public duty and afford no undue preferential treatment to any group or individual,” the Association said.
It said the Integrity Commission has an integral part to play in serving the public interest. "In order to do so it is vital that the Commission conducts itself with the highest degree of propriety,” the association said.
On Monday President Anthony Carmona named four commissioners of a new Commission. But they have not been sworn in and no date has been set for that.
It added, "The Council of the Law Association refers to the recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Integrity Commission that he received the Leader of the Opposition privately at his residence on the evening of the 15th May, 2013 to discuss certain matters which are reportedly before the Integrity Commission.”
It noted that the Integrity in Public Life Act bars a chairman from conduct which affords undue preferential treatment to any individual.
“We remind the Integrity Commission, and in particular, the Chairman, that they are bound by the Sections 24 (1) (a) and (b) of the Integrity in Public Life Act which provide that a person holding public office, including the Chairman, shall be fair and impartial in exercising his public duty and afford no undue preferential treatment to any group or individual,” the Association said.
It said the Integrity Commission has an integral part to play in serving the public interest. "In order to do so it is vital that the Commission conducts itself with the highest degree of propriety,” the association said.
On Monday President Anthony Carmona named four commissioners of a new Commission. But they have not been sworn in and no date has been set for that.
The commissioners are retired judge Justice Sebastion Ventour, petroleum and environmental engineer Deonarine Jaggernauth, ophthalmologist and surgeon Dr Shelly-Anne Lalchan and chartered accountant Seunarine Jokhoo. Jokhoo was a member of the previous commission.
The full statement from the Association is published below:
The Council of the Law Association refers to the recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Integrity Commission that he received the Leader of the Opposition privately at his residence on the evening of the 15th May, 2013 to discuss certain matters which are reportedly before the Integrity Commission.
The Council of the Law Association refers to the recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Integrity Commission that he received the Leader of the Opposition privately at his residence on the evening of the 15th May, 2013 to discuss certain matters which are reportedly before the Integrity Commission.
It is wrong and highly improper for the Chairman of the Integrity Commission to meet privately with a Complainant. We remind the Integrity Commission, and in particular, the Chairman, that they are bound by the Sections 24 (1) (a) and (b) of the Integrity in Public Life Act which provide that a person holding public office, including the Chairman, shall be fair and impartial in exercising his public duty and afford no undue preferential treatment to any group or individual.
The Council states further that the Integrity Commission has an integral part to play in serving the public interest. In order to do so it is vital that the Commission conducts itself with the highest degree of propriety.
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