[UPDATED] Udecott sorry for CJ house 'miscommunication' – PM: Why did UNC sell previous house?

SPECIAL purpose company Udecott has updated information on its website about a new official residence to be built for the Chief Justice.

And, in an e-mail on Tuesday, Udecott’s manager of corporate communications and marketing, Roxanne Stapleton-Whyms, said the information previously carried on its website dated back to between 2013 and 2014.

She apologised for any miscommunication it had caused.

She said, “The information listed on Udecott’s website regarding the official residence for the Chief Justice dates back to a scope which was tabled between 2013-2014 by the then client.

“Udecott was awaiting the new scope to update the information on its website. Humble apologies for any miscommunication it caused.”

On Tuesday, Udecott’s website tagged the project as “ongoing.”

The description of the project was subsequently removed and it now states, “Design and scope being redeveloped.”

On Sunday, the Judiciary took Newsday to task for reporting what was contained in the PSIP 2023 on the construction of a residence for the CJ and for a later editorial which discussed the project. The report also used verbatim information from Udecott's website.

In a strongly worded release, Judiciary accused Newsday of “twisting and juxtaposing of information, speculation, and erroneous statements coupled with its headline and opening sentences (which) appeared to be written to provoke negative comment from those who were unaware of the facts.”

Newsday merely reported accurately from the PSIP as well as on information then contained in the Udecott website.

PM SPEAKS OUT

During his contribution to the budget debate on Tuesday, the Prime Minister also weighed in on plans for construction of the official residence.

He said it was the UNC government which sold the CJ's residence and up to this day, no one could tell the country why.

"The Opposition Leader in her usual divisive way...they love to talk about one per cent, one per cent (local slang for the Syrian community), ask them who they sold the CJ's house to," Rowley said.

He said the UNC sold the house to a wealthy businessman despite objectiosn from the then sitting CJ.

He said that today, Chief Justice Ivor Archie is in rental accommodation at Goodwood Park at $54,000 a month.

"Rather than answer why you sold the CJ's house, they come to Parliament and go to the media to make that an issue, that they (the government) are going to build a house for the CJ."

He said what the UNC is not saying is that taxpayers are paying almost $1 million a year in rent to house the CJ.

"You who hate rent so much, especially when it involves Faris (Al Rawi) and his family, but you sold the CJ's house."

The PM vowed to put an end to the needless rental expenditure by building a residence which CJ Archie and future CJs can live in, with no rent having to be paid.

This story was originally published with the title "Udecott apologises for 'miscommunication' on CJ's house" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

SPECIAL purpose company Udecott has updated the information on its website about a new official residence for the Chief Justice.

And, in an e-mail, Udecott’s manager of corporate communications and marketing, Roxanne Stapleton-Whyms, said the information previously carried on its website dated back to between 2013 and 2014.

She apologised for any miscommunication it had caused.

She said, “The information listed on Udecott’s website regarding the official residence for the Chief Justice dates back to a scope which was tabled between 2013-2014 by the then client.

“Udecott was awaiting the new scope to update the information on its website. Humble apologies for any miscommunication it caused.”

On Tuesday, Udecott’s website still tagged the project as “ongoing.”

The description of the project was subsequently removed and it now states, “Design and scope being redeveloped.”

On Sunday, the Judiciary took Newsday to task for reporting what was contained in the PSIP 2023 on the construction of a residence for the CJ and an editorial which discussed the project. The report also used verbatim information from Udecott's website.

In a strongly worded release, the newspaper was accused of “twisting and juxtaposing of information, speculation, and erroneous statements coupled with its headline and opening sentences (which) appeared to be written to provoke negative comment from those who were unaware of the facts.”

It also said the cost of the official residence will be $4 million and the office-holder was entitled to “be housed at fully maintained super grade housing which is secured.

“The Prime Minister and President have now been so housed and the Chief Justice remains in rented premises at the sum of $54,000 per month."

It also provided an update: “In July 2014, Cabinet decided that Udecott would be tasked with building the house at No 4 Hayes Street, St Clair. This location is on a far smaller piece of land than the original property at Prada Street occupied. The Judiciary rejected what Udecott proposed at the time because they considered it far too expensive.

“Since then, the Judiciary has prepared a conceptual design and is having final designs and plans done at present. These plans will be costed,” the release said.

It also added that “given that the Judiciary has not yet decided on the final design or cost, it is inconceivable that any information on any website or in any newspaper article can state what will be in the house,” although Newsday's description of the official residence was that listed on Udecott’s website.