(Trinidad Guardian) Media magnate Ken Gordon is tipped to be the new chairman of the Integrity Commission. The Sunday Guardian understands Gordon’s name was forwarded by President George Maxwell Richards to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for consideration for the post left vacant by former chair, Prof Eric St Cyr. St Cyr tendered his resignation, with immediate effect last Tuesday, after he came under fire for disclosing to the media that Udecott chairman Jearlean John was being investigated by the Commission when John had not yet been informed of the matter. The choice of chairman of the Integrity Commission lie with the President.
According to the Integrity in Public Life Act 2000, the “chairman and other members of the commission, shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.” The Sunday Guardian understands that the People’s Partnership is in favour of Gordon’s appointment. Presently, Gordon is the chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB) which falls under the Ministry of Planning and the Economy. When contacted yesterday, Gordon declined comment on the matter. If Gordon’s selection is approved by both the PP and the Opposition, he will have to vacate his chairmanship at the EDB.
According to the Act: “A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member of the Commission where he is a person in public life or a person exercising a public function or a person who is not a citizen of T&T.” Gordon’s no stranger to public life and public attention having worked as a Minister of Tourism under the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) Government and the former chief executive and chairman of the Caribbean Communications Network, now called One Caribbean Media. He even mounted a legal challenge for libel, and won, against former prime minister Basdeo Panday during his stewardship for calling him a “pseudo-racist”.
Gordon’s reason for the legal had been “to teach the Prime Minister a lesson”. But the Integrity Commission itself has had several challenges. The Gordon Deane-led team resigned after the court ruled that Dr Keith Rowley should have been given an opportunity to respond in a matter before it was forwarded to the DPP. And a mere six days after being appointed, another Integrity Commission team collapsed after its chairman Father Henry Charles admitted to being guilty of plagiarism.
