Political analyst Prof John La Guerre and Opposition Senator Wade Mark yesterday called for an investigation as to how a confidential letter sent from the Office of the President to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, which contained a grave error, was leaked to the media.
Both men also felt that a probe was needed to find out who at the Office of the President was responsible for such an error, stating that action ought to be taken against the person responsible.
A letter was sent by President Anthony Carmona to Rowley which proposed the appointment of Dr Noel Kalicharan as “chairman and member” of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) led to a letter of objection from the PM on the appointment, as he suggested that the incumbent EBC chairman Mark Ramkerrysingh be left in the post.
On Thursday, the Office of the President took responsibility for the faux pas, stating that the error occurred as a result of a “cut and paste” error at its offices, as they promised to correct the mistake in a new letter to the PM.
“It’s concerning that such a confidential letter was leaked to the media. I think an investigation is warranted. Secondly, it brings into question the vetting process that should take place in any Government organisation, especially matters of that importance and the personalities and offices involved are concerned,” La Guerre said.
La Guerre said there have been constant leakages of confidential letters from high office holders to the media, many of which had been under deliberations.
“Certainly there should have been some kind of consultation between the Prime Minister and President to come at a consensus of an appointee before a letter is dispatched. In that way, there would be no miscommunication.”
La Guerre said Rowley hinted to Carmona in his letter that on the eve of his departure he should not appoint anyone.
“Certainly the letter did not produce an image of comradery. It is a strain on the relationship especially now that it is public knowledge.”
Mark said there was no reason for Carmona to make such grave mistake because he knows the Constitution inside-out.
He said Carmona would have known that for a chairman to be removed before the five-year term, he/she has to become mentally incapacitated or terminally ill according to the Constitution.
“So the President could not have made such a foolish error. The proper thing for the Prime Minister to have done was to communicate with the President. Instead, he wrote a letter. He scolded the President telling him not to appoint anyone for the next two months because he was on his way out and leave everything for President-Elect Paula Mae Weekes to handle.”
Mark said he found this to be unacceptable and inexcusable conduct.
Mark questioned how the letter has leaked.
“Elementary protocol would state that communications between the President and PM are highly confidential information. If you didn’t leak it, you call an investigation to be held into this leakage. An investigation should be held to determine who leaked it to the press.”
Mark said he holds no brief for Carmona, but he wanted to deal with respect to offices.