Part of Humphrey’s evidence struck out

Chairman Clinton Bernard yesterday announced that the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco airport development project will expunge certain evidence given by former Housing Minister John Humphrey on Tuesday.

Humphrey alleged that while he was acting Prime Minister he received certain information from a member of the Deyalsingh Committee which had conducted an inquiry into the Piarco project. Bernard said the evidence on the matter was defamatory, irrelevant and inadmissable and following a meeting with his fellow Commissioners, they had decided to expunge from the records the relevant portions of evidence which Humphrey gave relating to the matter. Also yesterday Managing Director of the Firearms Training Institute, Towfeek Ali, was represented by attorney Denyse Gouveia. Ali himself was not present.

Ali was summoned last week to give details of the contract he had with the Airports Authority (AA) to service its firearms. Gouveia sought an adjournment on the basis that Ali was to undergo certain medical procedures this week and could not appear. Ali submitted a medical from Dr Andy Bhagwandass. The matter was adjourned to May 7 when it is expected that Ali will give evidence and present the Commission with a copy of the contract. Evidence before the Commission has suggested that the AA previously had its firearms serviced by the Defence Force but subsequently entered into the contract with Ali’s company to do the job. The former Security Manager at the AA, Dennis John, as well as Inspector of Operations Leo Reyes, have both admitted they knew about a contract but said they never saw it. The inquiry will continue today at 9.30 am.