TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S ATTORNEY GENERAL FILES SUMMONS IN COURT AGAINST THE TOBAGO HOUSE OF ASSEBLY AND CHIEF SECRETARY

By a staff reporter: 
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi filed a construction summons in the High Court on Thursday to interpret a section of the Tobago House of Assembly Act as it relates to Watson Duke’s appointment as deputy chief secretary while also serving as head of the Public Service Association and a member of the registration, recognition and certification board.
During a radio interview on Friday, the Attorney General explained that he is simply seeing the court’s guidance which once received, can settle the matter.
Mr Duke offered his resignation from the PSA, effective December 31, however, Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine was challenged by the Attorney General to act immediately to which he responded earlier this week in a media briefing by saying “the THA does not respond to the AG.”
The Attorney General is seeking clarity on if a secretary of the THA can also hold the post of president of the PSA and be a member of the RRCB or if it was in conflict with the THA Act and the Integrity of Public Life Act. To this Mr Al Rawi said that his role is to work alongside and provide assistance to the THA.
When asked how soon a response from the court is expected, the attorney general said that he expects a response from the court on Friday, on a way forward. He made it clear that this move is in no way an attack on anyone's position, but simply an attempt to protect the THA.