President Granger “concerned” but wants no probe in leaked COI report

By Devina Samaroo

President David Granger on Wednesday said he is concerned about the leaked Commission of Inquiry (COI) report into the alleged plot to kill him, however, he has no intention of probing how the State media gained access to the document, which was only officially made available to a select few.

Days after the report was officially handed over the Head of State, the State newspaper began publishing a series of articles about the contents of the report, including recommendations to dismiss or discipline some of the most senior officials in the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The President told media operatives that Cabinet has not examined the document as yet and that he would have liked for the ministers to review the report before it made its way into the public.

“Naturally as a head of government, I am concerned with any unauthorised leaks and I had hoped members of the cabinet had a chance to look at it critically before it came up for public discussion. So I am concerned. I don’t know who is responsible for that leak,” he stated when asked by News Room on the sidelines of an event at State House.

However, the President said he will not be taking any steps to find out how the sensitive document exclusively made its way to the State media.

“I wouldn’t conduct a COI into the media,” he stated.

According to the President, government’s focus now is on reforming the police force in light of the findings of the COI.

“The important thing is that we would be able to detect some flaws in police administration and the Ministry of the Presidency and Ministry of Public Security, we’re working to ensure the Guyana Police Force is more efficient,” the Head of State explained.

In bold sensational headlines, the State newspaper had reported that the COI recommended the replacement of Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum and his Deputy, that the Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud be sent home, Deputy Top Cop David Ramnarine be sanctioned and the Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken be disciplined for failure to properly investigate the allegation of a plot to kill the President.