Jearlean: My life revolves around probe

FORMER Works Minister Jearlean John said yesterday her life revolves around the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco International Airport Project and Commission chairman, retired Chief Justice Clinton Bernard, warned attorneys for former Works Ministry representative Peter Cateau against jeopardising John’s testimony.

As the sitting resumed yesterday at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Commission was informed that neither of Cateau’s attorneys, Keith Scotland and Dawn Mohan, was present since they were before Justice Alice York Soo-Hon in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court. Bernard recalled that on the last occasion when John was supposed to be cross-examined, Scotland was absent and Mohan said she would be ready to proceed yesterday if Scotland was again unavailable. He also revealed that a letter stating the reasons for the absence of Cateau’s attorneys was received late Friday evening.

Commission lead attorney, Theodore Guerra SC expressed disappointment over the absence of Cateau’s lawyers from the proceedings. “What I’m concerned about is that this witness (John) has kept coming here faithfully, and she is willing to give the evidence under cross-examination. She holds a responsible position with a company and one must have some concern for her well-being, her job. “It is therefore rather frustrating to have counsel, particularly two counsel, one cannot make himself or herself available to continue the cross-examination of this witness,” he said.

Guerra suggested that if any indulgence were to be granted to Cateau’s attorneys, it should be “up to tomorrow or else I will ask the Commission to have Peter Cateau question the witness”. Bernard shared Guerra’s concerns about the unavailability of Cateau’s lawyers, but said he was not casting any blame on them. Noting concerns raised by Guerra about former minister John Humphrey appearing without legal counsel, Bernard rejected the suggestion of Cateau personally questioning John. He added that for Cateau to do that, he (Cateau) would be like “a ship without a rudder”. “We appreciate that Mr Scotland has other engagements that are more important in what we are doing in terms of their necessity for them to be in the audience of the court but there comes a time when we must get on with things,” he said. 

Noting several concerns about the length of time the Commission was taking to complete its task, Bernard said: “ The blame for that does not fall squarely on our shoulders but it has been due to the fact that attorneys who are engaged in this matter are themselves engaged in matters in the High Court. I trust that the country will appreciate there is no delay on our part. We have always been available.” He stressed that “at the same time we have to give consideration for the witness as well”. Asked by Bernard if she would be available for cross-examination today, John replied: “ Sir I have been trying to schedule my whole life around the Commission. I have commitments on Tuesday and Wednesday. They (John’s employers Church’s Chicken) have been very very reasonable about me being out also. I don’t want to say I’m stretching their patience now.”

After reviewing the Commission’s schedule, Bernard asked John if she would be available on Thursday and the former minister responded affirmatively. Former Airport Authority Security Manager Dennis John, Humphrey and former AA Chairman Tyrone Gopee are scheduled to appear before the Commission today, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.