Sharma’s file sent to London

In a statement yesterday, the ministry described the report as “erroneous,” adding that at no time was there a delay on its part in ensuring the prompt delivery of the file to London.

According to the statement, the ministry received a package from the Registrar of the Supreme Court on August 29, which was addressed to the Privy Council. Since there were no instructions stipulating when the package was due to arrive in London, the ministry prepared the package for dispatch in the diplomatic bag for London, which normally leaves on Fridays.

However, on August 30, a request was made from the Office of the Attorney General (AG) to have the package containing the file delivered to London by September 1, the statement said.

Arrangements were immediately made for the file to be dispatched via a special diplomatic bag, which was placed on the BWIA 900 flight to London, which left Piarco at 7 pm on August 30.

Meanwhile, the statement said, the State’s attorneys in London contacted officials at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, informing them that they were expecting the file, which should be handed over to them (the attorneys).

The High Commission officials contacted the AG’s office, and were instructed to give the file to the State attorneys.

The diplomatic bag arrived in London on August 31, the statement said, and was placed in the possession of the High Commission on September 1. The file was subsequently delivered to the State attorneys later that morning, after the relevant paperwork had been completed.

The controversial file stemmed from several attempts made by the State to arrest Sharma on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, and Sharma’s ability to, so far, legally block the execution of an arrest warrant on him.

Sharma has since been suspended as CJ, and Appeal Court Judge Roger Hamel-Smith has been appointed to act as CJ.