The truth behind the Piarco I ruling

THE EDITOR: The Privy Council has confirmed that the reason for the failure of the prosecution of Messrs Smith, Kuei Tung et al was the relationship that existed between former Attorney General John Jeremie and former Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls (PC Appeal No. 0045 0f 2018).

This should bring an end the rants of the PNM, only recently parroted by Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, that the demise of these prosecutions would have been another Section 34.

The adage, “be careful when digging a hole for your enemy, you don’t fall in it yourself,” seems reality in this case.

The people have been deprived of the opportunity to bring these defendants to justice not because of machinations of a UNC administration, as the PNM would want you to believe, but due to the fact that the public interest, the administration of justice and the rule of law were sacrificed upon the alter of malice and political spite directed and targeted against people deemed to be political opponents of the PNM.

That this was presided over by the officer-holder who is referred to as the titular head of the bar is a shame to the legal profession.

This fiasco demonstrates in the most blatant manner, the extent and the length that politicians will go to destroy their political opponents, even at the sake of the very fabric of TT's democracy and the rule of law.

The ruling of the Privy Council laid bare the steps pursued by a wicked and malicious administration which included allegations against a then sitting Chief Justice and the setting up of an inquiry under section 137 of the Constitution to remove said Chief Justice, the late Satnarine Sharma, from office.

Every one of these steps must have involved the highest members of that administration thus it is safe to say that they were prepared to abuse power and authority to achieve their selfish political agenda come whatever the cost. This then is the saga of Piarco I under the PNM.

The PNM has been injured by their own petard. The defendants could very well walk free. The casualties in this entire affair are the people of TT who have been denied justice and also saw their money being used by State attorneys over many, many years – all for nought.

It is not without irony that the Privy Council which paved the way for the prosecution of these people due to actions taken by a UNC administration, has this week had to apply the principles of fairness and the rule of law in their ruling that these prosecutions be quashed, due to the actions of a PNM administration.

Let the people of this country judge for themselves!

CAPIL BISSOON

Via e-mail