UNC’s Gary Griffith challenges suspension

A lawyer’s letter written by Rekha P Ramjit (of Rekha P Ramjit and Associates) to UNC chief executive Tim Gopeesingh is demanding Griffith’s reinstatement on the national executive “with immediate effect.”

Failure to do so, would result in “my client vigorously pursuing all or any legal options available to him,” the letter stated.

Gopeesingh told Newsday that while he had not yet seen the correspondence, once it had been sent to the UNC headquarters, Rienzi Complex, Couva, the executive would discuss the letter at its meeting today.

The main grounds for Griffith’s challenge is that his suspension was done in direct contravention of the party’s rules regarding suspension and, or, expulsion of any officer of the party.

The letter also contended that Griffith was deprived of his right to defend himself through the medium of an investigation by the disciplinary committee.

“Further the appointment of an investigation committee decided upon by the national executive is ultra vires the constitution and therefore the findings of that committee will be null and void,” Ramjit wrote.

The letter noted that the procedure laid down for suspension is as follows:

* The national executive shall investigate all matters of discipline affecting the party and where necessary refer any such matters for the consideration of the disciplinary committee of the party pursuant to Article 29 (A) (v) and Article 12 (h);

* The disciplinary committee in hearing and determining of any matter referred to it, shall observe the principles of natural justice and in particular a member charged with any disciplinary offence shall be allowed to name any other member to assist him in his defence.

In an attached letter, Griffith said members of the party were disgusted with the manner in which his suspension was done. Noting that he was suspended with “absolutely no evidence” and solely on the perception of one man, deputy political leader Wade Mark, Griffith said party members were concerned that having voted for him there rights were being infringed because he had been replaced by someone who had been defeated in the internal election.

Griffith pointed out that at the exact time of his suspension he had submitted a letter to the executive demonstrating that deputy political leader Jack Warner had breached eight of the ten codes of conduct of the party.

Saying that there appeared to be no equality of treatment, Griffith said it was indeed a ironic and a pity that such dictatorial actions are conducted by the Executive, when they accuse the PNM of the same crime. “Here we see they are no different from the PNM,” he concluded.