The controversy over Jack Warner serving as Cabinet Minister while employed as vice president of world football governing body, Fifa, is not a simple matter, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan says. Ramlogan told yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, that following Wednesday's advice from the Integrity Commission on the issue he decided to get independent opinions from three prominent attorneys before advising the Cabinet on the matter. Last week Friday, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley raised questions over the decision by Warner to be a full-time Cabinet minister while at the same time being paid by Fifa as an executive officer. He said then that Warner should choose one of the jobs.
Rowley on Monday wrote to the Integrity Commission asking for its advice on the issue. Its response, which was given within 48 hours, required that persons who offer themselves for Cabinet posts should organise themselves so as to ensure there was no breach of the Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics. Ramlogan said in response to the commission's "advisory opinion" he had asked Warner to present him with the terms and conditions which govern his position as Fifa vice president.
He said he assumed that the Integrity Commission did not receive legal advice before making its opinion public. He said as a consequence he was soliciting "independent advice" from three leading constitutional experts. They are former attorney general Russell Martineau SC, Sir Fenton Ramsahoye SC (former Attorney General of Guyana) and John Almeida, of Charles Russell Partners, the standing Privy Council agents for the state of T&T, to solicit an opinion from Michael Beloff, QC.
The AG added: "It is not as clear cut as it appears at first blush and furthermore the Code of Ethics, referred to by the Integrity Commission, is a matter that would need careful consideration in light of the modern realities that we face in 2010." He said he would like the opinions within seven days so that he could report to the nation next Thursday.
"So there is no cause for concern, I intend to do that which is right." the AG added. In commending the commission for the manner in which it handled the complaint he listed several others which have been outstanding for too long to be dealt with in a similarly expeditious manner.
They included:
�2 Complaint against the Commissioner of Police for granting permission for an illegal political rally at Woodford Square during a sitting of Parliament on October 3, 2008;
�2 allegation of insider-trading against former Finance Minister Karen Tesheira with respect to the Clico/CL Financial bailout in February 2009;
�2 allegation that Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr had struck a deal with former Prime Minister Patrick Manning to grant certain benefits to the organisation in exchange for its support in the 2002 general election;
�2 former attorney general John Jeremie making certain allegations about Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley concerning an Integrity Commission report on June 5, 2009;
�2 allegations against former Culture Minister Marlene Mc Donald over the "scandalous public expose" of the award of $4 million to $6 million in scholarships without any clear criteria and any clear reward for the country in terms of contractual service to the nation at the end of the course on December 1, 2009;
�2 allegations against the Tobago House of Assembly alleging discrimination against the Hindu community on the island regarding the distribution of state lands and the construction of a temple on December 5, 2009;
�2 allegations against the construction of a church in the Heights of Guanapo on February 26, 2010; and,
�2 allegations against former Public Administration Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh over his acquisition of certain properties on May 18, 2010.
Ramlogan said the People's Partnership Government stood for the rule of law and was ready to defend the principles of integrity and transparency in public life by all who served in the administration.