The Attorney General is now under police probe.
Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams yesterday appointed acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations) Harold Phillip to investigate Police Complaints Authority director David West’s allegation that Attorney General Anand Ramlogan attempted to pervert the course of justice.
The Police Service confirmed this via a statement yesterday.
This followed a press release by West that he had put the matter in the CoP’s hands.
In the release, West noted that his recollection of what transpired in the recently publicised alleged witness-tampering matter involving himself and the AG was “diametrically opposed to the Hon Attorney General’s denial that he ever approached me.”
Both men have been spotlighted in the alleged witness-tampering issue after claims that six days before West was appointed PCA director, Ramlogan asked him to withdraw his witness statement in the defamation lawsuit, involving People’s National Movement leader Dr Keith Rowley, relating to the failed extradition concerning Section 34 applicants Steve Ferguson and Ish Galbaransingh, in exchange for West being selected for the PCA job.
Stemming from West’s signed statement on this yesterday, the police stated: “The Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr Stephen Williams, wishes to advise that today Thursday January 29, 2015, he was visited by Mr David West at the 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.”
Phillip is an attorney and the Gold Commander in charge of security for Carnival 2015. He was also the lead investigator on the Calder Hart perjury probe in 2012 and ACP (Crime) in 2010.
Phillip declined comment yesterday on how he would proceed with the probe of West’s allegations.
Resignation rumours
Rumours that the AG was having a press conference and might resign resulted in reporters congregating at his St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, office yesterday evening awaiting Ramlogan.
An e-mail sent to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on the development obtained no reply to questions on her position on whether Ramlogan, as a cornerstone of the Cabinet, would be removed pending the outcome of the probe and how her Government would carry on with such allegations over the AG if he remained in office.
The PM was due home last night in time for today’s Parliament session.
Communications Minister Vasant Bharath didn’t answer calls but was at the AG’s offices yesterday.
But Congress of the People leader Prakash Ramadhar, who recently failed to get a meeting with West on the issue, said the matter should be dealt with speedily “...with due regard for the rights of all involved and without pre-judgment.
“What we need are the facts... the truth of the situation and if there’s sufficient evidence for further action against anyone, that must also be proceeded with urgently. The seriousness of this matter demands the earliest resolution,” he said.
He added: “On learning of this allegation last Sunday, I immediately publicly said that the COP “would welcome and support prompt investigations into these allegations so as to bring it all to a swift conclusion. Such serious allegations must be investigated in a timely manner once there is substantial information to require it.
“This has been the COP’s position since May 2010 when we came into government. We have applied it to all public officials, including those from our own party against whom serious allegations have been made.”
Prior to West’s release, the T&T Guardian asked West why he had only now reported the issue to the CoP if it had happened since last year. West had no comment but said he was sending a statement.
Rowley, for whom West had given his witness statement, has called for the AG to resign on the issue, as has the Movement for Social Justice, Joint Trade Union Movement and other groups opposed to the Government.