MP’s corruption case goes to May 31

Peter Thornton QC was admitted to the local bar yesterday at a special sitting at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain. After he was formally admitted, Thornton, leading state attorney George Busby, turned up before Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court.

Williams appeared before the magistrate to answer charges that he accepted $75,000 in bribes from PNM councillor Dansam Dhansook in 2003.

Williams had moral support from San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly. He was represented by Desmond Allum SC and Rajiv Persad. But the preliminary inquiry did not start. It was adjourned to May 31 for both sides to decide whether all seven charges should be taken together. Williams was remanded on his $600,000 bail.