In a letter addressed
to President George Maxwell Richards and presented to the media
at a Press conference last week, Panday said the three appointees
had “clear and overt links to the PNM”, and suggested
that the appointments could undermine public confidence in the integrity
and independence of the EBC.
The President appoints members of the EBC after consultations with
the prime minister and the Opposition Leader.
Panday’s letter pointed out that in 2003, EBC “stalwart”
Lance Murray was replaced by Kenneth Lynch, who Panday identified
as an official of the first Manning administration without saying
exactly what that position was.
The letter expressed “alarm” at the appointment of Norbert
Masson as chairman of the EBC, saying that Masson was known to be
closely associated with past PNM Prime Ministers.
Panday also cast a suspicious eye on the appointment of Lewis Wesley,
a former EBC employee, stating that Wesley “would have been
knowledgeable and complicit in alleged irregularities within the
workings of the commission during the last six years”.
The letter noted that May 2005, the President also appointed Corrine
McKnight-Baptiste, a former ambassador, to replace Raoul John, whose
appointment Panday said was not renewed after he “stoutly
resisted attempts by the PNM to intimidate and terrorise the EBC”.
In a media release, the PNM has stated that constant attacks by
UNC on the EBC, the DPP, and the Integrity Commission, are being
timed to coincide with the hearing of matters before the court involving
“its erstwhile political leader and several prominent supporters”.
“What’s next?” the release from Balisier House
asked, “does the UNC plan to wage a campaign against the Privy
Council following the several rulings against its chairman?”
The PNM said it noted the panic “which has now beset the Opposition’s
UNC as a result of the announcement by PM Patrick Manning that PNM
party members should prepare for an election.
“It is quite clear to the PNM that this call is behind the
hysterical campaign being waged by the floundering UNC.” |
