(Trinidad Guardian) Former chairman of the Integrity Commission (IC) Ken Gordon on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for having no confidence in the IC, insisting his statement will undermine the institution’s effectiveness.
Gordon said while Rowley did not have the luxury to speak as a private person “as a leader of our country, his public rejection virtually condemns this important institution to national ridicule,” Gordon said yesterday in a telephone interview.
“For a Prime Minister to publicly say that he has lost confidence in the commission, what do you expect the normal person who gets a judgment against them in the Integrity Commission to say?
“He has virtually knocked the legs. It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister should openly declare a lack of confidence, in as an important institution of this sphere as the Integrity Commission,” Gordon said.
His comments came one day after Rowley addressed an anti-corruption conference hosted by the T&T Transparency Institute at Hilton Trinidad where he stated that he had no confidence in the IC but, at the same time, it was an institution that has to deal with allegations against people in public life.
In response to Rowley’s statements, chairman of the IC Justice Zainool Hosein said: “He (Rowley) is entitled to his views… he can express his views.”
Gordon said Rowley’s statements “virtually undermines any prospect of its (the commission’s) effectiveness but I must also add that the manner in which the commission has handled the resignation of its former deputy chairman Justice (Sebastian) Ventour, it leaves much to be desired and raises some serious questions.
“Perhaps, others also share that view and as he (Ventour) has made it clear, so does the Prime Minister,” he added.
