AG: Integrity Commission to go

The Integrity Commission is unlikely to stay in its present form, if it remains around at all, Attorney General Glenda Morean, told the Senate on Tuesday evening.

She said the Integrity Commission would either be “restructured” and “re-engineered” or even completely replaced by a new body, the Anti-Corruption Commission. Disclosing the Government, through the UNDP, had hired a former Commissioner of the Hong Kong Commission Against Corruption as a consultant, she said his report was now before Cabinet which would select one future for the anti-bobol body. Morean explained: “He recommended, firstly, a new anti-corruption commission to be established as in anti corruption legislation. There would be three elements to stop corruption — enforcement of laws against corruption, prevention of corruption by eliminating opportunities and prevention by public education and support. “The second option is that the Integrity Commission could be restructured, re-engineered to be the country’s anti-corruption authority, leading all three elements against corruption.”

Morean then justified the cost of the controversial Piarco Airport Commission of Enquiry, asserting: “Money spent on corruption enquiries and Commissions of Inquiry is money well spent, better than the $1B on the Airport expansion or the $21M paid to one man for using his influence.  We can no better spend money than to root out corruption.” Morean also said: “The Government will spare no expense to deal with corruption. Not just bringing those guilty of impropriety to justice but putting in place measures to prevent corruption from occurring. It is costly but the Governent can spare no expense to do so. We cannot afford what transpired in the reign of the last (UNC) government to happen again in Trinidad and Tobago”.  

Noting the Government had hired forensic investigator Bob Lindquist to probe and report on allegations made against WASA, Morean said: “When the report comes, the report will be brought right here (Parliament). The PNM has no sacred cows.” She said the Government would deal with anyone committing acts of impropriety, whichever side of the House that they sat on. Senate Opposition Leader, Wade Mark, interupted Morean to ask why after 18 months, there were no available forms for parliamentarians to declare their integrity to the Integrity Commission under the Integrity Act. Morean replied: “The forms have been prepared and are being revised by the Legislative Review Committee (of the Office of the Attorney General).”