Justice Lucky sticks to his guns

The Trinidad and Tobago judicial officer who is widely respected is currently weathering a storm of criticism after parts of his report on the issue were leaked to regional newspapers.

Earlier this week fellow commissioners Gregory Thomas and Avandale Georges, both chartered accountants who reside in Antigua publicly disassociated themselves from the contents of the leaked reports and the comments ascribed to Justice Lucky.

On Friday Justice Lucky, whose committee was appointed by the West Indies Cricket Board to inquire into all aspects of the multi-million dollar deal, defended his right to make a "declaration" on his findings.

He said the practice was common with judges on the International Court on the Law of the Sea which presides in Germany and of which he is a member hearing and arbitrating on international maritime problems.

Justice Lucky rejected charges that the leaks were carefully orchestrated on his behalf but maintained the privilege to expand on the particular issue of the legality of the contract between Digicel and the WICB.

"I found that the contract was legally flawed and could be ruled null and void. It should be renegotiated," Justice Lucky said on Friday.

He had earlier met with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who heads the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket which has been involved in effecting a settlement between the WICB and their top Test players in a controversial contract row.

Justice Lucky said he was summoned by Dr Mitchell at the Crowne Plaza in Port-of-Spain on Friday and they both held talks concerning the issues related to his commission.

"We had a healthy discussion and Dr Mitchell stated that he was eagerly awaiting the decision of the West Indies Cricket Board when they meet on the report," said Justice Lucky.

The Justice Lucky Report was handed over to new president of the WICB Ken Gordon recently who promised to have it presented to his executive for their deliberation shortly.

Justice Lucky said that he has been in contact with his fellow commissioners communicating his position in e-mail messages and addressing concerns they have had following the publication of parts of the previously confidential report.

He said his fellow commissioners Thomas and Georges expressed concern that their reputations would be tarnished should they be associated with the leakage of the report.

However Justice Lucky said he was convinced that the two Antiguans played no part in the affair.

He said that after interviewing the major players in the contentious matter he is of the opinion that Digicel must get involved in the process of renegotiating the contract.

"In a bad contract any party can walk away without liablity," he said.