(Trinidad Express) Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams yesterday issued a statement confirming that a report has been made by the Director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) David West against Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, in which West made an allegation of “an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
The following is the statement from Williams –
The Commissioner of Police (Ag.), Mr. Stephen Williams, wishes to advise that today, Thursday 29th January, 2015, he was visited by Mr. David West at Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, and presented with a signed statement, in which Mr. West made an allegation of ‘an attempt to pervert the course of justice’, against Senator the Honourable, Anand Ramlogan, Attorney General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
As a consequence, the Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation into the matter.
The investigation will be led by Deputy Commissioner of Police – Operations (Ag.), Mr. Harold Phillip.
Ramlogan later responded to the decision in the following statement –
I welcome the announcement by the Commissioner of Police of an investigation into the allegations made by Mr David West. I trust that the investigation would be handled professionally, thoroughly and expeditiously.
I will co-operate fully with this investigation and look forward to my vindication.
All parties must now allow due process to take its course. These latest spurious allegations are but part of a wider political conspiracy that is designed to damage the government as we draw closer to elections.
Ramlogan’s statement followed a series of actions taken by West, who said he was allegedly approached by Ramlogan and asked to withdraw his witness statement given in the defamation lawsuit filed by the AG against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, in exchange for him (West) being selected to head the PCA.
Earlier yesterday, West issued a statement, saying that: “Although the Hon. Attorney General initially refused to make any comment on the matter, he is now on the public record denying categorically that he ever requested me to withdraw my witness statement in his claim against Dr Rowley. I am compelled to say publicly, without more, that my recollection of what transpired is diametrically opposed to the Hon. Attorney General’s denial that he ever approached me.
Accordingly, I have this morning made a report to the Ag. Commissioner of Police on the matter of the allegations against the Hon. Attorney General reported upon in (an Express) article. I trust that the Ag Commissioner will take swift action on my report as he considers appropriate or as he may be advised and that due process will be ensured and the integrity of any investigation will be preserved.
