Justice Minister Herbert Volney says since 2005 his phone has been tapped. Volney disclosed that in his contribution supporting the Interception of Communications Bill 2010 in the House of Representatives on Friday night. Debate on the bill, which was presented by National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy, was suspended shortly after midnight after a marathon ten hours. Volney recalled his promise to the electorate in the May 24 general election when he said he would cut off the head of the serpent.
He said on Friday: "I dealt with the head of that side (pointing to the Opposition benches); the serpent was cut and that is why today they are on that side." He told Speaker Wade Mark that it was unfortunate and with great regret "that you have placed me in a seat where I have to look at what is left of the serpent. "Everyday I see a headless serpent, he had lost his head–the Member for San Fernando East (Patrick Manning)." Volney went on to quote a newspaper report, published prior to the May 24 general election, which quoted Manning as saying, "Volney was being observed by security forces."
He said when he was about to resign as a judge to contest the elections the contents of a private conversation with Chief Justice Ivor Archie were published in the newspapers. Volney said he had to apologise to President George Maxwell Richards for the incident. He said he felt he was "a marked man" and an "enemy of the State" because he had pointed out to the then Government the need for certain changes in the criminal justice system for it to be more effective.
Volney told legislators: "That cell (phone) had been the subject of interception during those last days of the then PNM Government. That was the PNM's way of dealing with their enemies." "There is nothing in this bill that law abiding citizens need to fear." Volney said the bill provided checks and balances for those who are empowered to intercept persons private communications. He said it also provided for a judge of the High Court to grant a warrant to an authorised person for the interception of a communication.