Fixin’ T&T: Dr Rowley, taxpayers deserve to know contents of ‘Darryl Smith report’

“No, Dr [Keith] Rowley, the ‘Smith Report’ must be made public. Taxpayers’ money [is] involved.”

The following press statement was issued by civic watch group, Fixin’ T&T, in response to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s decision not to release independent report on MP and former Sport Minister Darryl Smith, who was sacked after allegations of sexual harassment against a former employee—hidden behind a non-disclosure agreement that was paid for by taxpayers’ money:

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley reportedly stated that the report done on the Darryl Smith matter ‘cannot be made available to third parties’. The reason offered is that the three-member team responsible for the report ‘[…] came to a conclusion negatively about Mr Smith without talking to him’.

FIXIN’ T&T calls on Ms Jackie Wilson, Ms Foulade Mutota and Ms Elaine Greene to urgently and immediately address this damning allegation made by Dr Rowley. The three-member team must  unequivocally clarify whether:

1. Mr Smith was interviewed at any point during its investigation and before its report was produced;
2. Mr Smith was offered/provided the opportunity to be interviewed at any time during its investigation. If yes, what was the outcome? If no, why not?

Natural justice dictates that a person accused must be given the opportunity to be heard and present his/her case.

It is reasonable to assume that Ms Wilson, Ms Mutota and Ms Greene, given their respective backgrounds, are competent persons familiar with the ‘laws of natural justice’.

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