Dear Editor,
With respect to the recent announcement by Minister Harmon, of Cabinet’s approval of the establishment of a ‘Ministerial Council of Legal Advisors to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.’
I’m hoping that someone is paying keen attention to an obvious case of conflict of interest, by having the Legal Advisor for the Guyana Police Force, former Justice Claudette Singh SC, sit on the Council.
One would have thought that the legal minds in the President’s Cabinet ought to have seen that Justice Singh will no doubt will be wearing two hats. Hence, resulting in a blatant act of mockery to the democratic values, and particularly, an insult to the people of Guyana.
Finally, and before anyone gets too sensitive. I wish to make it clear that I have tremendous respect for Justice Claudette Singh, SC. However, I’m concerned about the obvious conflict of interest. After all, she will be sitting as a member of the Government’s Legal Council, and also as Legal Advisor to the Guyana Police Force. Thus, even if she recuses herself from matters that involve the government, the perception of conflict of interest, will still be a factor. That said, the government needs to decide on whether this eminently qualified former Justice, who herself was an advisor to the former controversial Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, should wear two hats.
Yours faithfully,
Mark A. Benschop
