PRESIDENT Paula-Mae Weekes is said to be concerned over the latest developments surrounding the appointment of a police commissioner.
However, she says there is nothing she can do about it.
In response to questions from Newsday on the current imbroglio between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and Gary Griffith, the President’s communications adviser said, “Of course the President is concerned.”
However, it was pointed out that while the President appoints commissioners, after consultation and parliamentary oversight, and can revoke their appointments for specific reasons laid down in law, and after consultation, the PSC does not report to nor is it answerable to the President on matters within its remit.
Newsday had asked if the President had the power to step in or discuss the issue with the relevant players.
In response, the President’s office said, “The President cannot direct the commission on any matter and must be careful not to give any advice, in particular unsolicited, that can be interpreted as interfering in the business of the commission.
“The Police Service Commission is independent of the Executive, including the President.
"It provides annual reports to Parliament for which the President is conduit (as with all commissions).”
Questions were also sent to the PSC to ascertain Griffith’s position and whether deputy commissioner McDonald Jacob would continue in his acting position, but there was no response except acknowledgment of Newsday’s e-mail.
Calls to Jacob’s phone went to voicemail.
Just after 4 pm on Monday, Griffith carried out his stated intention to take the PSC to court over the latter’s instruction to him not to report for duty on Tuesday pending an investigation into allegations related to the issuing of firearm user’s licences (FULs).
The order by the PSC took immediate effect and is in place until further notice.
Griffith maintains this move was “illegal, irrational and in breach of the rules of natural justice, null, void and of no legal effect.”
Griffith’s High Court action includes an injunction application to stay the commission’s order until a judge determines his challenge.
The matter was assigned to Justice Ricky Rahim. Up to late Monday, no hearing had been set.
Griffith, who has been on vacation, said the PSC notified him by e-mail of his suspension late on Friday night. The next day, he sent a legal letter to commission chairman Bliss Seepersad, giving a deadline of noon on Sunday to revoke the suspension.
Sources said the commission stood its ground, responding late on Sunday night, at which Griffith instructed his attorneys, led by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, to go ahead and file the legal challenge.
Griffith has told the Newsday he will not be speaking on the matter, but will let his attorneys do so for him.
On Monday, attorney Larry Lalla, one of Griffith’s lawyers authorised to speak to the media, confirmed an a
