Town Clerk’s lawyer challenges legality of CoI

The Attorney-at-Law representing Town Clerk, Royston King on Monday sought to challenge the legality of the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into City Hall.

As King took the stand at the CoI at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, Maxwell Edwards announced that he would like to make some comments.

The Lawyer contended that the CoI is “void…” since the Act governing the Local Government Commission (LGC) does not give it the right to establish a CoI.

He also argued that Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan should have ordered the investigation into City Hall or in the case of an Inquiry, the power rests with the President.

The Lawyer further posited that the warrant issued to the Town Clerk did not include certain specific details required in such cases.

The Commission was adjourned until 14:30 hrs today when the Counsels representing the CoI, Sherwin Benjamin and Everton Singh-Lammy will respond to the challenge.

If overruled, the Town Clerk is set to take the stand but according to his Lawyer, this will be “under protest.”

King is the final witness to appear before the CoI with the exception of the Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green who appeared on Friday last but was asked to return on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

King is set to answer questions in relation to a No Confidence motion brought against him by two councillors in March of this year and allegations therein, as well as other allegations made by witnesses during the course of the CoI.

The CoI has asked for an extension beyond October 31 to complete its report.