Gopeesingh muzzled

Speaking during debate on the Integrity in Public Life Amendment Act, Gopeesingh claimed Government was trying to intimidate persons from filing complaints with the Integrity Commission.

Quoting from a letter dated August 16, 2007 from NH International Caribbean (NHIC) chairman Emile Elias to Commission registrar Martin Farrell, Gopeesingh said NHIC was contracted to Imbert’s company ICS (Grenada) Limited to construct the Grenada National Stadium in 1997 and the contract was wrongfully terminated by ICS in 1999. “This is not an anonymous letter,” he charged.

Gopeesingh said the matter went to court and within the sworn affidavits, “there is an undisputed admission by Clico Investment Bank (CIB), the financiers of the project, that Imbert had drawn down approximately US$6 million out of project funds, for his personal use as at the date of wrongful termination in October 1999.” This caused Imbert to rise to his feet and invoke Standing Order 36 (5), saying Gopeesing was “imputing improper motive against me.” Speaker Barry Sinanan agreed with Imbert, telling Gopeesingh that the “Imbert” referred to in the letter was ICS Grenada and he could not make accusations against the minister. Gopeesingh reminded the House that it was Manning who gave a commitment in July 2008 “to investigate anyone who is accused of wrongdoing in the party.” The UNC MP revealed a letter dated August 20, 2007 which Elias sent to the Prime Minister which informed Manning about “a pending investigation under Section 32 of the Integrity in Public Life Act regarding Colm Imbert.” In that letter, Elias told Manning: “If an investigation reveals a breach of the Act, the consequences would be extremely serious.” Imbert rose a second time to protest to Sinanan that Gopeesingh was imputing improper motive against him.

Gopeesingh quoted another letter dated January 15 from Elias’ attorneys Byrne and Byrne to Farrell. In this letter, Elias’ attorneys directed Farrell to Elias’ sworn affidavit dated November 5, 1999 which referred to CIB’s asserting that as at June 2, 1999 approximately US$18 million out of an available fund of US$23 million had been disbursed to or on the instructions of National Stadium Project (Grenada) Corporation and ICS Grenada Ltd (companies beneficially owned by Colm Imbert) in connection with the construction of sporting facilities at Queen’s Park in Grenada.

An angry then Imbert invoked Standing Order 43 (2) and moved a motion to demand that “the Member (Gopeesingh) no longer be heard.” Sinanan put the motion to a vote, which the Government won 21 to 12 despite the Opposition’s protests.

Imbert then moved the adjournment of the House to Monday at 1.30 pm.