Nandlall says gov’t has lost confidence in Slowe; denies seeking ‘backdoor meeting’

One day after the Head of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe, accused the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government of attempts to interfere in the work of the constitutional body, the government has made it clear that it has lost confidence in Slowe’s ability to serve in an independent and impartial manner.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has joined President Irfaan Ali in rebuffing the unsupported allegations made by Slowe, among which, is that Nandlall had engaged in subterfuge attempts to meet with him.

During an interview with the News Room at his Carmichael Street, Georgetown Chambers on Tuesday, Nandlall denied he attempted to meet with the former Assistant Commissioner of Police covertly and without public or official knowledge and approval.

“If Slowe can manufacture such dangerous allegations against the President, the Vice President and the Attorney General, how can a government continue to have confidence in the face of these reckless and baseless allegations? Nandlall questioned.

He explained that although this is the case, the executive will not force Slowe to resign and remains committed to constitutional governance and the rule of law which will see strict compliance with the laws and Constitution.

“If the President is to remove Paul Slowe it would constitute a violation of the Constitution unless the process laid down for removal is activated,” Nandlall said.

He hinted, however, that the process has commenced. “If that leads to the removal of Slowe then so be it,” he added.

The PSC Chairman is currently charged, along with others, for conspiracy to defraud the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of some $10M and is also facing sexual assault allegations that were levelled against him by a senior female police officer. Nandlall said that while Slowe will have his day in court to defend the allegations, as he so intends to do, he believes the charge and allegation in itself demonstrate his lack of independence and impartiality.

Nandlall also pointed to the move by the Commission to join a suit filed against the government by an opposition Member of Parliament (MP), which is also being defended by several other oppositions MPs from the legal fraternity.

“Listen, you are free to be a politician if you wish but don’t be a politician and then moonlight as independent constitutional officeholders,” the AG told the News Room.

Nandlall has questioned Slowe’s motive to come forward with these allegations at a time when he is facing charges in court.

“Mr. Slowe so loves the President that he kept the information for nearly a year. Had he not been slapped with criminal charges he would have probably taken this to his grave. If he is as conscientious and virtuous then from the time the President made a wrong entreaty, he ought to have made that public. You can’t wait when your back is against the wall and then come out with such a revelation. It is not credible,” he added.

Nandlall said Slowe seems to want to play politics, something that the Constitution doesn’t allow him to do as the PSC Chairman and his persistent behaviour now hinges on misbehavior in public office.

In 2015, Slowe threw his support behind the then APNU+AFC Coalition and also reportedly served as security coordinator for the party at the 2020 elections.