PM: No inquiry into Ayers-Caesar issue

Rowley made his first official comment on the issue when he responded to a question posed by Chaguanas West MP Ganga Singh in the House of Representatives.

When Singh asked if a commission of inquiry would be established to look into the matter, Rowley said, “No. The Government is not considering an inquiry into the judiciary.” Singh asked how would Ayers-Caesar’s outstanding cases be dealt with.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that the specific matter to which the Member (Singh) referred, is a matter which resides entirely within the borders of the Judiciary,” Rowley responded.

Government MPs thumped their desks as Rowley further declared, “This Government maintains the Great Wall of China between itself and the Judiciary.” Singh scoffed: “The Great Wall of China might be amorphous having regard to malaise plaguing the justice system right now.” He then asked Rowley whether he was turning “a blind eye” to what was happening in the judiciary. The Prime Minister told Singh he had “no idea” where his attention was focused.

“I give the assurance that Government is concerned about all aspects of national life in TT,” Rowley added.

At a post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on April 27, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said Government was monitoring events which occurred since Ayers-Caesar was appointed a judge, two weeks earlier.