GRIFFITH’S SHORT-LIVED VICTORY

GARY Griffith’s legal victory is likely to be a short respite before the Government resumes its measures to have him replaced as Commissioner of Police. 

The Government’s attorneys agreed to proposals presented by Griffith’s lawyers, which would see the incumbent being restored as Commissioner before proceeding on vacation. 

Former Attorneys General Russell Martineau S.C. and Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj S.C. led the legal teams for the Government and Griffith respectively. 

The settlement is a deliberate step in order for the Government to retreat from legal and procedural errors in removing Griffith from office. 

The Government had illegally interfered with the process by instructing Chair of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Bliss Seepersad. 

In a terse statement, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said: “An error has been made and that error can be and is to be rectified.” 

Seepersad had come under fire from other PSC members for not implementing the decisions of the commission. 

The agreement between attorneys for both sides erases those slip-ups and eases the criticisms of the Government of manipulating the process. 

But the Rowley Administration is determined to remove Griffith as Commissioner, and would now undertake the correct procedures through the PSC. 

The new procedures would be played out over the next few weeks. 

A triumphant Griffith is meeting the media in the company of current office-holder McDonald Jacob. 

But the final outcome of the process is likely to make Griffith’s current victory a short-lived one. 

The Government had previously built a vase against the incumbent through a civil enquiry in the granting of firearm licences. 

That investigation found alleged wrongdoings.