No publication of Piarco Report yet

ATTORNEY GENERAL Glenda Morean said the report on the Piarco Commission of Inquiry will not be made public as the possibility exists of criminal charges being laid against persons or groups named in the Inquiry.

Speaking at a news conference at Cabildo Chambers on Wednesday, the AG said the report is still being reviewed by a forensic and legal team headed by Canadian forensic investigator Bob Lindquist. “Although I have not yet had it in writing, I know it is their feeling that we should not at this stage, publish the report. The reason for that is we are trying to be so careful. It is true that all of the information, in terms of the evidence that was led in the Inquiry, was done in public, so that the public is already aware. Nevertheless, now that we are at the point where we are looking to see what further action is to be taken and such action may involve proceedings — criminal or otherwise — against persons. We don’t want to give any justification for the process being derailed by pre-trial publicity in any way,” Morean explained. She said no time-frames have been set for Lindquist’s team to complete their work. The report was compiled after the Commission heard evidence for 170 days and was presented to President George Maxwell Richards prior to being handed over to Lindquist’s team.