Rowley gets additional time to file defence in ambassador lawsuit

The matter came up for hearing yesterday before Justice Frank Seepersad who granted an extension to May 8 but not before he expressed his disquiet with the pace with which the matter was proceeding.

He has adjourned the case to May 29. Representing Charles is attorney Devesh Maharaj while Reginald Armour SC and attorney Nadine Nabbie appear for Rowley whose response was expected to be filed on March 3.

In his notice of application Charles of Union Hall, Cross Crossing, is seeking a declaration that the decision of the prime minister to revoke his appointment was illegal, made in bad faith and is contrary to fundamental human rights.

He says he was not provided equality before the law and equality of treatment. Charles will also be asking the court to declare that he had a legitimate expectation to maintain his rank and position as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary upon returning to Trinidad and Tobago and therefore Rowley’s decision to revoke his appointment as ambassador was a deprivation of his legitimate expectation that he would have retained his position.

He also believe the decision is “flawed and defective” as the prime minister failed to provide reasons for the revocation.

Charles is seeking an order redirecting his appointment in addition to compensation. According to Charles, he was appointed Ambassador in March 2012.

He said he never had any previous interaction with Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses and in Sep tember 2015, Moses visited the UN Headquarters in New York to attend the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.

Charles said he and Moses attended a series of meetings in which he briefed the minister and advised him on several issues including a meeting of CARICOM foreign ministers.

Charles said that on September 30, 2015, Moses met the Ghanian foreign minister and while it was customary for advisors to attend, the minister did not want him (Charles) present at the meeting.

Charles said he later learned that the Ghanian minister had his advisors present at the meeting which concerned the planned visit by PM Rowley to Ghana in 2016.

He said at the end of 2015, he was asked by the acting permanent secretary of the Foreign Affairs ministry to submit his resume which he did although this was not the norm. He said on September 20, 2016, he received an instrument of revocation of his appointment.