Khan wants Hamel-Smith, Stollmeyer resignations

In an open letter to the pair yesterday, Khan said they should tender their resignations on the sole ground that the membership of the Lawyers Association has lost confidence in their ability and integrity to perform their, “Onerous duty as independent and responsible members of the JLSC.” “I politely remind their Lordships,” Khan says, “That they owe it to the legal profession and by extension the people and most of all their respective families and ancestors, to demonstrate that they still possess the intrinsic virtue of decency not to cling to status and power in the face of the overwhelming vote of no confidence against them.” Khan says that Hamel Smith and Stollmeyer personally need to protect and maintain the reputation and good names of their ancestors, “Who were the pillars of the ruling class of our young nation. The Hamel-Smiths during the period of slavery and colonialism; the Stollmeyers during the post slavery and colonial periods.” Khan reminded Hamel-Smith that he acted on several occasions as Chief Justice and was recommended to then President, ANR Robinson, by former Chief Justice Michael de la Bastide to replace him as Chief Justice upon his retirement.

The Hamel-Smiths, according to Khan, have established over a 100- year period their merit, ability and integrity in rendering legal services to the country.

To Stollmeyer, Khan says that even though he emerged from the entrenched ruling class where his ancestors demonstrated that they were hard-working, industrious, fair-minded and just inhabitants of our country, there exists a personal cultural blot against him when he ruled in his capacity as a judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago that the Nehru suit does not befit the dignity and majesty of the Magistrates’ Court as a decent mode of dress for attorneys.

Justice Stollmeyer, Sir, Khan writes, “I have documented this cultural slur/blot against you in order to politely remind you that if perhaps you are subconsciously Eurocentric, that you take stock of yourself and demonstrate to the citizens of this country that you are not of the ilk as those who still hold the view that massa day must not done in this country and thus cling on to status and power by virtue of being a member of the JLSC.” Khan tells Stollmeyer further that he and his ancestors’ good name do(es) not need this false pride. Addressing Hamel-Smith and Stollmeyer as “Sahibs”, Khan says he knows that they possess the inner strength and courage to do what is morally right and decent and resign now,” telling them also not to allow “the apologists for the Chief Justice to mamaguy you to cling to false status and power.” Khan says it is his considered opinion that at this juncture the issue of due diligence is not sufficient in law to ground a legal removal of Hamel-Smith and Stollmeyer by the President.

He says the issue is one of morality in public affairs.

Khan feels that any proper investigation will reveal misbehaviour in public office which he says carries a penalty of 15 years imprisonment for anyone convicted of such an offence.