JUSTICE HOSEIN FELT CLEARLY MISLED BY HEAD OF STATE.
This is very troubling, if as reported, Justice Hosein wrote in his letter to the President of T&T, he was surprised and embarrassed: "...to my total surprise and embarrassment..another person was sworn in as deputy Chairman...I felt clearly misled...I write with great urgency as promised to complain about the gratuitous hurt and insult occasioned to me in the course of today's swearing in ceremony," the letter began...."
These very strong words from Justice Hosein deserve a response from President Richards. Justice Hosein asks, and so would many citizens of T&T, what "intervened" between Thursday and Friday. Justice Hosein said Richards gave no reason for the change.
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REPORT IN SUNDAY EXPRESS:
Justice Zainoon Hosein yesterday said it was most "unpalatable" to have to resign from the Integrity Commission following the decision of the President George Maxwell Richards to renege on his promise to appoint him as Deputy Commissioner of the Integrity Commission.
"If this kind of thing could emanate from the Head of State, whose word are we to rely upon. Can't we rely on the word of our head of state?" asked a still dumbfounded Hosein.
Hosein said Richards told him up to Thursday, the day before the swearing in ceremony, that his position as Deputy Chairman had been "confirmed." But at the ceremony on Friday Jeffrey McFarlane, NIB Executive Director, was invited to take the oath as deputy chairman.
Hosein said he did not know what "intervened" between Thursday and Friday. He said Richards gave no reason for the change. Hosein said he declined the President's request to take up duties and serve as a Commissioner until the end of the month when Richards, who goes on vacation from today, would return. "I didn't feel that I could have done that because it would appear that I had fully accepted the position," Hosein, the holder of a Chaconia medal said yesterday.
The former Justice of Appeal said he felt he (Hosein) dealt with the issue in a very dignified way," he said, adding that he did not want to "march off and create a scene" at the swearing in ceremony when he heard McFarlane being sworn in as deputy chairman.
Hosein submitted his letter of resignation hours after taking the oath. I n his letter of resignation to Richards:
"I write with great urgency as promised to complain about the gratuitous hurt and insult occasioned to me in the course of today's swearing in ceremony," the letter began.
"As you are aware your Excellency called me on the morning of Tuesday April 28, and inquired whether I was prepared to serve on the Integrity Commission in the capacity of Deputy Chairman."
Hosein said he enquired who were the chairman and who the other members were and what were the terms and conditions of such office. The letter noted that Richards provided that information and also indicated the salary of the deputy Chairman.
Hosein noted that he (Hosein) then told Richards that he was willing to serve. Richards mentioned the date and time of the swearing in ceremony.
Hosein said when he heard nothing further, he called Richards on Thursday and Richards informed him that his secretary had tried unsuccessfully to contact him. But Richards assured him then that the position was confirmed and that he (Hosein) should attend Friday's swearing in ceremony.
"I attended with my wife and to my total surprise and embarrassment..another person was sworn in as deputy Chairman". "I felt clearly misled and was then minded to get up and leave. However in order to avoid embarrassment to your Excellency as Head of State in the presence of the media and invited guests, I reluctantly took the oath of office for the position as member and immediately thereafter sought and had a private audience with Your Excellency. I pointed out that as a former Justice of Appeal, and having regard to our discussions on Tuesday April 28, I was not prepared to serve merely as a member. With respect had your Excellency indicated to me when I spoke to your on Thursday that my position as deputy chairman was not confirmed or was no longer available, I would have thereupon declined acceptance as a member", the letter stated.
