PNM political leader Pennelope Beckles says the party will let the courts decide its battle over a Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order linked to the financing of Balisier House, as General Secretary Foster Cummings vowed the opposition would fight the case “with all its might.”
Speaking to Guardian Media during African Emancipation Day celebrations in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Beckles declined to discuss the merits of the case, saying the proceedings remain under seal and a virtual hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
“There’s a stay on the ex parte order, there’s a virtual hearing on Tuesday. This matter is under seal and because of that I have taken the decision to be responsible and to ensure that I respect what the law says when a matter is under seal,” Beckles said.
Asked whether she was concerned by information from the proceedings being leaked into the public domain, Beckles said she was more concerned with complying with the law.
“When we had our press conference on Wednesday, I indicated that there’s a serious fine for when those things are leaked. If it’s under seal, it’s not supposed to be in the public domain, and that is why I’m taking the decision not to say more than I should say. I’m a lawyer myself, and I understand that it is important not to breach the law, which I do not intend to do.”
Cummings said the PNM would vigorously contest the proceedings but would avoid commenting on the substance of the case while it remains before the courts.
“The PNM is determined to fight this matter with all its might. We believe in transparency and accountability. At the same time, the matter is attracting the attention of the court, so I will not have much to say on that except to say that our lawyers are on it, alert, and representing the interests of the PNM and its members,” he said.
He insisted the proceedings would not threaten the party’s future.
“The PNM is 70 years old and I’m sure 70 years from now, those who come after us will still have a People’s National Movement. The PNM cannot and will not be destroyed.”
The comments came a day after High Court Judge Margaret Mohammed released her written reasons for granting a Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order against the PNM, its trustees and Cummings over the financing of the renovation and construction of the party’s Balisier House headquarters in Port-of-Spain.
In her 23-page ruling, Justice Mohammed said she was satisfied there was sufficient evidence to reasonably suspect that the party’s total wealth exceeded its lawfully obtained wealth.
She also accepted evidence from TTPS Legal Unit head ASP Ramdath Phillip that there were reasonable grounds to suspect money used for the project may have been obtained through the commission of one or more offences involving bribery or corruption.
The PNM has denied any wrongdoing and has questioned how documents from the sealed proceedings were leaked before they were formally served.—Kejan Haynes
