The Integrity in Public Office (IPO) has written to the Chief of Police, Daniel Carbon, seeking assistance in investigating how secret and confidential proceedings before the Commission concerning Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit fell into the hands of radio personality Lennox Linton.
The IPO also revealed that it is seeking assistance into an article published by Dominica News Online on December 14 entitled ‘IPO pushes back hearings on PM matter’ which it said “revealed information concerning the business and proceedings of the Commission held that morning.”
“The Integrity Commission has listened to a broadcast and read the transcript of the ‘Between you and Me’ programme of Sunday 16th December 2012 on Q95FM radio in which information relating to the declaration of a person in public life filed with the Commission i.e. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, was published by Mr. Lennox Linton on that programme,” the IPO said in a release late Friday.
According to the IPO, under Section 20 of the Integrity in Public Office Act No.6 of 2003, “the Commission is required to keep secret and confidential the declarations of the financial affairs of persons in public life filed with it and also the records of the Commission in respect of those declarations. These shall not be made public except as required in court proceedings or enquiry in respect of a declaration under the Act. Any breach, therefore, of this provision is unlawful.”
The IPO continues, “Section 21 has enacted that all declarations of persons in public life and information relating to such declarations shall be treated as secret and confidential and shall not be disclosed or communicated to any unauthorized person or allow any such unauthorized person to have access to any such declaration or information or to publish any such information which comes to his knowledge.”
The IPO said “the total confidentiality of declarations and information relating thereto is a vital requirement in the management by the Commission of the Integrity and accountability infrastructure created by the Act. The Act makes substantial invasion into the privacy of a person in public life and Parliament has criminalized any breach of that confidentiality.”
The commission said firm measures continue to be taken to ensure that all information and declarations before it are kept secret and confidential “in accordance with the provisions of the Act, including the oath of secrecy taken by the members and the staff of the Commission.”
I would like to make an appeal to the public,since the prime minister is so hated and there is no progress in the land and no jobs, let all RED vote BLUE in the next election so there will be no more hate,and no more corruption,lots of jobs,and the country will prosper and we will all live happily ever after.
We missing the point,the office should be one of integrety.Its not about who likes who.
Joe what is so great about this man’s performance in politics. Boy we in Dominica really lacking in sense. That’s your idea of excellence ?
You can talk as much as you want and post as much as you can but the writing is on the wall. Let the Police do their work.
Message to the priminister of the commonwealth of Dominica. You came into power i believe with great intentions, somewhere along the way you have grown and change in many ways, knowledge, wisdom,understanding, wealth and new friends, some good, some ok some, detrimental.When i speak or make certain comment some of the people that are around you that believe that reporting people that freely speaks there mind… are against you, but thats not necessarily true, and as for me i love country first. Dont hate Lennox Linton and hug Tony Astaphan, because one of the greatest threat you have in Dominica as far as am concern is.,……
tell him my friend lol but you left us hanging wii
Many Dominicans have expressed frustration with the IPO and in particular with its Chairman for the manner the investigations in the conduct of the PM are being handled. The reason for that frustration is obvious but I think the Chairman deserves some praise for his careful leadership of the IPO.
A few weeks ago SC bowled a “googly” at the IPO and the Chairman in his wisdom voted with the minority to postpone the hearing to January 2013. At the time, we did not see the logic. The IPO allowed the attorneys for the PM to be heard ensuring that the requirement of Natural justice were fulfilled to protect its work against future attacks from the googly bowling SC .
Having been partially unsuccessful with this googly, the SC bowled what seemed to be a perfect yoker of confidentiality and there was a public outcry. Many thought that our No. one batsman would be caught LBW or caught behind. It came from no where. We were afraid when the SC shouted “how’s dat umpire?”
The IPO referees conferred and it appeared for a while that they were responding positively to the appeal of the googly bowling SC, who demanded that the matter be referred to the third umpire- for investigation. The IPO agreed and the crowd went wild on DNO and the radio – some in fear that Lenox would be hurt and others were mad as hell that the Chairman of the IPO would once again have agreed with the shouts of the SC bowler. Then came “Between you and Me” on Sunday and the third umpire ruled it was a No ball- Lennox can continue batting.
The Chairman of the IPO has been clever and astute in handling the situation so far, ensuring that he allows for the rights of the Parties under the principle of Natural Justice – giving the other side every opportunity to be heard and to be represented. He agreed to have the police look into the alleged breach of confidentiality, all in an effort to safeguard the integrity of the findings and outcome of the investigation.
Had the Chairman not done that, the googly bowling SC would have had a reserved line of attack that the investigation was tainted due to the breach of confidentiality and that the IPO violated the principle of Natural Justice in the conduct of its investigation. Therefore, the integrity of the IPO’s investigation would have been in question and could have been subject to a Motion to strike on that basis during a future prosecution.
For that reason, we must thank the Chairman of the IPO for his foresight, his professionalism and astuteness in allowing the SC to be heard and for calling for the investigation into the alleged leak, which we now know was a complete no ball by the skillful googly bowling SC.
But my people, there are still a few more balls left in the over…the game is on. We wait. Will Lennox hit another 6! Will he be bowled by the googly bowling SC? Would he be caught behind by the PM and his followers or will he hit the next bouncer bowled at him to the boundary to win the game for the people of Dominica? The game is exciting. Our batsman Lennox is well set in now. He is at the crease and we are confident that he will score this century this time around. We believe in his abilities and we are confident of victory soon. We are glued to our seats waiting patiently as googly bowling SC returns to his starting mar, consults with his captain and fielders in preparation to bowl the next ball in this thrilling match of integrity, accountability and transparency.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
what a great seven ball over that was wouldnt have said it better than that
I love this game commentary: cricket of a different making, cricket……. lovely cricket.
With friends like Tony, who needs enemies? These shocking revelations by Lennox is not really shocking for those of us who knows this man (counsel) and what he is capable of.
ahhaha lang kapo twayer kapo. You threatening to disband IPO and is you self that leaking the info. Sakway potanse. Time will tell, and time telling. There’s no enemy like the one drinking in your bed
LMAO de met veye hard at work oui! woy woy woy….
people are you ready??? zor paweyhh???
smh, wow wowo wowowoo wowie woowow LOLOL
We really playing smart with chupidness now!! So no longer is the message important, the problem is with the messanger!!?? I have always thought that the IPO is just a waste of Dominica’s money and time: scrap the IPO as there are NO persons of INTEGRITY in public life in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
the roof is coming down on this corrupt government,dominica has no law and these guys are disgusting and the poor dominicans still praise thes scums.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Chilling disclosure by Lennox.
What a brilliant patriot and statesman.
HOPE THE POLICE AND THE IPO ARE BUSY WORKING, to arrest and drag before the court those leaking out of the important and confidential IPO information!
awa they hiding now because they get slap in the face, we will be waiting for the arrest now because me Linton give them what they wanted so easy and he make the police work very easy so come on mr carbon we waiting on you.
What is so chilling about the disclosure?? How would you like your personal financial business hitting the media??
Would you glorify the person revealing it??
I am really wondering if this is Politics or just HATRED for a youngman who chose Politics as a career and is good at it??
I am ashame to see how low some of my people has become!!!!
He is the head of government and this information should and ought to be public. How much he earns, how much he has in the bank, how many stocks he owns, what property he owns, the source of funding, etc, all must and ought to be public.
Joe nobody is sharing people’s confidential information neither jealous of the young man who chose politics as a career. I’m not even going to comment on that last part because you are clueless as to how and why he got involved in politics because thats neither here nor there. What you and your blind ignorance need to heed is that SKERRIT FINANCIAL gains are PUBLIC RECORD as demanded by the CONSTITUTION! and that is that. His personal life is not for the public, but any gains, assets have to be accounted for on the public record. No confidentiality there, he chose the office he must conform with the rules of the office and by the way is his bizawell that leaked the info and all over the place doing damage control this morning so hush
What is chilling about this disclosure? Are you for
Real? The IPO said someone leaked private info, lennox
Was accused of getting the info from an IPO from
Member,turns out that was not the case.
If like you say this may be hatred for a man who is
Doing his job well,don’t you know part of his job is
To disclose his assets to the commission and to answer any
Questions they may have. All this could be avoided if he just
Allow the process to happen instead of hiding behind lawyers. Now it turns out the same lawyers are trying
Every dirty trick to obstruct the process. Shame shame shame it is people like you who continue to turn a blind
Eye to wrong doings.
Joe, is it possiblee he chose politics because:
– he wanted the power and prestige it brings.
– he wanted it because he thinks he has been entrusted with a divine mission and as such is elevated above the rules and laws that govern lesser mortals.
– he wanted it because of the entitlements he genuinely believes are his.
– he wanted it because it satifies his notion that he should not be accountable to anyone but God himself.
Self delusion more often than not ends in self destruction.
– he wanted to advance himslef in amateral way. Is it not the very same man, who said that he will not leave office with nothing.
Joe sorry but you have completely missed the point! The disclosure is chilling because the very individual who claims to be Skerrit’s defender and loving friend is the one alledged to be leaking his confidential matters to the public domain. He seems to be doing this dirty work repeatedly (alledgedly) and the FOOLS not seeing that at all and continue to confide in the Senior Cu……. The chickens are coming home to roost! Mark my words.
take your head off from the4 sand joe
and use the little grey matter you have left
A massive cell in the jail would bethe best solutin to all this bullcrap.
Are there any military guys who read this crap going on in their country of origin who would consider binding and taking over the country? Arrest them all oposition top civil servants who are usless to the cause the regime and its lawyers all the jr counseles etc put them in one jail they can fight and kill each other in there.
No trial just throw way the damn key little food let the over fed ones get slim.
Very interesting Senior Counsel remember: ‘Who so ever digs a pit, shall fall in it.’
Truth crushed to earth will rise again!
I hear they catch chucky Tony exposing SKERRIT financial grandeur.
If Eddo enter in office he will still be crooked
that are the leaders way
Skerrit just to careless
Skerrit need to attack those high port duties to blind me cause as long as things are expensive we will see all what he doing for himself
We cannot afford to buy a flat screen to put in our homes, i saw a flat screen on ebay for US$300 and i saw that same tv at our local stores for 4000 plus
Man ordering Subaru Foresta US$1000 on Trade Car Veiw US3000 to ship to Dominica and EC$16,000 to customs. Thats outrageous
it hard DA
You are so right brother. All that just filling our country with crap, rejected by other countries. You see vehicles runnig around held together with wire and bald tires, their emgines and exhausts coughing like they have asthma. Welcome to the bastion of environmental protection and proud owners of a bureau of standards that exists in name only! All that just stifling our local economy.
What a ……senior counsel. On several occasions I wrote on DNO about what was revealed to me while traveling . Since I understand DNO’s concern i will only say that what was revealed about the senior counsel did not surprise me at all. Let us just say that Skerrit’s financial information had been leaked not only by this senior counsel but by GIS.
Remember the GIS guy who said that if they try to fire him or her him or her would release information about the Cayman Island bank accounts? Well him or her have emailed financial the financial dealings of SKERRIT
Next the Macow deals
lenny boss them on between you and me on q895 sundat the 6
yo chaybay chuckie, original hold dem!
The joke is now on the Joker. Now, what is the SC, the IPO, the Police, the Bar of Association and the courts going to do about this gross, flagrant display of the absence of integrity by a Sensior Counsel.
Respecfully
Roseau Valley
The IPO has asked for the Police Commissioner’s assistance in investigating how secret proceedings before the Commission ended up in Lennox Linton’s hand. IT IS TIME FOR THE IPO TO INVESTIGATE TONY. TONY IS SKERRIT’S DEMISE.
SPEAK LENNOX, SPEAK.
So Tony is the one leaking de files? LMAO!
lennox…original hold them…..wck way back then…still good now! it feel like truth.
lennox has my support. investigate me now. martial law will come in effect!
MADNESSSSSS…..!!!!!!
When the PM can make the statement that public funds have been misused .Loans taken out and abused,yet no outrage by any senior politician.Statements by Ministers on road completion ie Pond Casse/Melville
that are untrue,The same drip, drip from all Ministers.Dominica is well on it’s way to the failed state.The IPO is a waste of space.
it is times like these, the people have to sit down and realise that we are in trouble… is the IPO wrong to call for an investigation into how mr linton got the info?…. well if it’s against there laws then they have the right to investigate that. the thing is, why is it done so quickly, trying to turn mr linton into the criminal.
why it took so long to take up the matter of the PM, yet very quick to call for help of the police department to investigate mr linton… so who are the IPO supposed to investigate. How mr linton got information? or Whether or not the PM is corrupt? i thought there job was to investigate corruption???
i may be wrong, but i believe that it’s these things that cause the public to lose trust in such institutions…
aha… well brother lennox catch them lol… so the info came from non other but mr asstaphan himself…. leaking the info thru means of pdf file… imagine that… taken from the p.m’s office and scanned into a pdf document lol… hhhmmmm let’s see what the IPO and the Police dept going to do now… will they contact google (g mail) or the email provider and get the necessary information to see if what lennox said is true? hhmmmmmm
Stop running scared, fearful, or frightened my people.
Dominicans can’t you see what is happening; the one voice that helps to open our eyes they are trying to scare him… Do you really think that an intelligent man like Mr. Linton will do something so openly illegal? PM and them are running scared, so they are trying to turn this around; they are running out of options. Now all that the PM and his followers have left for them, is to turn to the few places and people that they still have control over to use their power…
OPEN YOU ALL EYE MY PEOPLE; THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE THE ONE VOICE THAT KEEPS US INFORM AWAY!!!! Move voices need to joint Mr. Linton; all he is trying to do is help us save our nation that we all love and call home…. Don’t let this stop from seeing and knowing the truth. There are more important matters that the POLICE needs to be investigating…
Since I did not know of any exposure of the PM re his finances by Linton, this IPO request for investigation only encourages more attention to what the PM has been hiding from us. This otherwise would have died away.
The thing is black people cannot dispense justice
The IPO knows very well, if there are any leaks, it comes from no other than those who have interest in getting rid of the commission. The very ones who call for disbanding the commission, are the ones at play to undermine the investigation by leaking the info, then lay the blame on members of the IPO. Today’s technology wont be on their sides. Fortunately, what happens in the dark shall be revealed in broad daylight.
ADMIN I NEED TO KNOW WHY MY COMMENTS ARE NOT BEING POSTED HAVE I BROKEN A RULE OF DNO, IF YES ACCEPT MY APOLOGIES IF NOT, POST MY COMMENTS OR ELSE??????
ADMIN: Please do not post in all CAPS or the system will automatically delete your comment.
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Peeping ? Server ?? 
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VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE PM
In light of the fact that the Parl Reps for the Roseau (Valley, South, North) and the others on the government side in parliament will not see it necessary to bring a Vote of no confidence in the leadership of the PM, we the people call on the Leader of Opposition with the support of the Parl Rep of Roseau Central and Marigot, to bring a Motion of No Confidence in the PM and his government for consideration at the next sitting of parliament.
It does not matter whether or not you are confident of the votes to be successful. Force the Speaker to include the matter on the agenda for debate and possibly for a vote. Let’s hear Collin, Ian and others as they defend on record the corruption that is abound.
The time is drawing nigh for public statements from our legitimately elected members of the House (not the Speaker) on the unfitness of the PM to continue in office.
We need not wait on the outcome of the matter before the Court of Appeal to take action. We know that Mr. Skerrit is no longer fit to hold the office of Prime Minister of Dominica and he should step down-the earlier the better.
Mr. Skerrit has time and time again demonstrated his contempt for the citizenry and our justice system. We are well aware of his incompetency as Prime Minister and his alleged involvement in corrupt practices. He has fallen short of our expectation of a mature leader. He has repeatedly failed to carry out his obligations as Prime Minister in the best interest of the country and he keeps making bad decisions to the long term detriment of our people and country.
If the Roseau Valley Parl Rep really wishes to redeem himself from the allegations of corruption, he would be well served to lend support to this Motion of No Confidence in the leadership of the PM.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Fellow Dominican,
We are being lead to hell by a group of political liars and cheaters. They are so confused and consumed with their own lies and mischief, masked in the law according to SC that they are forgetting what they have already said and done on record and screwing up the progress nation in the process.
The issue is not the IPO. The problem is not Lennox. It is not the Police. It is the PM and his Lawyers, his ministers and supporters.
We must immediately move the House of Assembly to consider and pass a Vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister of Dominica and his government.
This is not an issue about UWP or Labour. It is about Dominica
Respectfully
Roseau valley
We need more people like Lennox in Dominica to keep our leaders incheck, opposition not doing enough.
The IPO was sanctioned to create a diversion of the real issues.
All assets of people in public life should be made public when they enter office and when they leave. Simple as that.
Integrity in Public Office (IPO)..what does that really mean? choops!!!!!!
It is now clear to me that the role of the IPO is to protect those who steal from the state. According to mummy they might be enjoying it too.
I may very well be a berk, but I don’t understand how the assets and financial information of the country’s leader can be private. He is the head of government and this information should and ought to be public. How much he earns, how much he has in the bank, how many stocks he owns, what property he owns, the source of funding, etc, all must and ought to be public. How else can we prevent corruption?
The following quote from Owen Arthur, the former prime minister of Barbados, is instructive:
“Mia Mottley and I, without there being any need, went to Parliament and said this is what I have, this is what I own and what I owe,” Arthur said, explaining that he and the former Opposition Leader had long declared their assets.
100% in agreement with you.
I wish to support your comments.We cannot forget that it was the same Skerrit who told us that he was going to build a modest $400,000 dwelling house and that he was prepared to make public all information concerning the cost of the house .It was alledged that the house had cost approximately $1.2 million. It was the same Skerrit who told Dominicans publicly that he had no land,no Villas,no boats and no hotel in Barbados, today, the people want to know the truth,he is hiding under the robe of a senoir lawyer
to be precise, he is the chief civil servant and his life should be public
In a real country? Yes. But not a failed state riddled with corruption.That’s what we are.
My friend you are completely wrong and biased and have your own agenda. You can’t make blind blanket statement and go against the verst same instuitions that is looking for this information. So my advise is to read the law….Justice is a scale…it has balance
So where we go….http://da-academy.org/DA_IPO.pdf
I selected two clauses to make you aware of the law and what you are saying is not completely true.
14. (1) Every person in public life shall file a declaration with
the Commission setting out –
(a) his office or offices;
(b) his income, assets and liabilities;
(c) the assets of his wife, children or relative acquired through or traceable to his income; and
(d) gifts made by him in value exceeding one thousand dollars.
20. The declarations filed with the Commission and the records of the Commission in respect of those declarations are secret and confidential and shall not be made public, except where
a particular declaration or record is required to be produced for the purpose of, or in connection with any court proceedings against, or enquiry in respect of a declarant under this Act, the
Commissions of Inquiry Act or perjury under the Perjury Act.
That’s your opinion and I share your your view but your opinion is not in question here, as the people always say right is right and wrong is wrong. If there is an oath of secrecy taken by members and Lenox obtained the infomation unlawfully,shouldn’t it be investigated? I am tired of people making their opinions and feelings be judge over issues and forgeting the real subject of the post.
lol,you guys good.i have no problem with the pm.I think he is managing the country well in this discuss gobal finanical stress.This a smoke screen.Linton needs to it easy if the article is true.right now i think the ipo is a waste of state funds should be ban
You know, I understand where you are coming from because the problem may not really be the PM dejure but the PM defacto. Here are the things that really bother Roseau Valley in this matter notwithstanding the “alleged effcient management of the country” that you reference.
One man screams that the entire commission has been infiltrated by those affiliated to the DFP and UWP who wants to embarrass the PM. He said he is not going to allow people with political axes to grind to turn the IPO into a kangaroo court or pappyshow to try to embarrass his PM.
The IPO became frightened and seemingly allowed itself to become a pappyshow.
A newspaper columnist writes an article in the Chronicle and one man screams that he should be investigated.
The police responded with lightening speed, even though the person who first called names on a radio show based on confidential information that was leaked to him was not investigated.
One man said if the PM were to lose the dual citizenship case, then general elections must ensue. The entire media ran hastily with that story and never questioned why a general elections
One man suggested that the police does not have sufficient evidence to pursue the GON matter- to get sicko /secko. The police and PM joined in the choir and began to sing the need to cross “Ts” and dot“Is” .
One man says the PM is not illegal and a High Court Judge bows in agreement, exonerating the PM;
One man made allegations and the same man led an investigation into alleged corruption of the UWP and Edison. The entire country was duped and a good government was voted out.
Now, one man alleges that secrets are being leaked from the IPO and the IPO responds swiftly by requesting the assistance of the police- the same police that cannot complete a simply investigation for more than two years with statements from forensic experts and self confessing statements.
Will we hear next that all members of the IPO are asked to resign by the Chairman/PM/Presidentin accordance with the wishes of that one man? How disappointing!
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
You are confusing yourself. You must remember that the IPO was a creature of your darling PM’s regime. It being a waste of time and money is a testament to the management and prudence of your darling PM and crew. They gleefully created this albatross so now they have to leave with it. Your darling PM has publicly urged Mr Linton on several occasions to take him to the IPO. So now Linton has acceded to his demands both he and illiberal hangers-on like you.
Who has the LOL now?
Patriots, Happy New Year!
What an appropriate article on the front page of the first issue of the Chronicle for this year.
Thank you, Sir Alleyene, I feel proud to be a patriot.
For the sake of our children and the future of our country we must never stop reminding our people and the world of our Prime Minister’s audacious statements e.g. “Go to hell! No law, not even the constitution, will prevent Skerrit from being nominated! It’s none of your damned business!”. With comments like these from our Prime Minister, who is supposed to set a good example and be a role model, he is failing our young people miserably.
To the catholic church ,my church, bishop, Malzaire please, help your flock, especially for the young people’s sake.
there are others like the exfrench president who said:casse toi pauvre con:get lost poor fool!!the man is not a saint!damn it!
nicholas sarkozy
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king! My point is water flows downwards and evil winds it’s way into self-protection always. Those in power have weaved a web and have entangled themselves confused in a melee. Who are the suffering ones? The average man who cares where his next meal comes from, not those who already have. I remember a classmate f mine telling “who have have, who doh have starve”. This reality is more compounded than ever today.
How do you spell corruption and cover up? And your answer is: Dominica
Conflict of interest= IPO! who’s interest do they have at heart? Well the answer is plain to see, because already they are investigating the wrong side. I am not looking for an award or for any body to like what i write, i am a Dominican by birth and i have a alot of concerns about the things and deals that we as Dominicans… some that we know, and don’t know about, so why is it when patriotic people like Lenox Linton and Matt and the hand fool of others that are not bought, who are truly the only opposition we have in an island that’s quickly slipping away from a democracy are rediculed or scrutinized? My fellow citizens i wish my country and their leaders well, but enough is enough there are some people in this administration that has become addicted to greed they treat the country like a business, and they have no shame in their game, there are does that make millions in the name of country,and they have set up the playing field and rally supporters by giving turkey, ham , galvanize, plywood and cash so when guys like Lenox speak on behalf of the country, he is being cursed out by the supporters and investigated by the system that is suppose to investigate corruption? What a damn shame. A welfare system is good but not to be used to rally support for wrong doing.
You go boy. Love you, love you. Right on point
So where we go….http://da-academy.org/DA_IPO.pdf
I selected two clauses to make you aware of the law and what you are saying is not completely true.
14. (1) Every person in public life shall file a declaration with
the Commission setting out –
(a) his office or offices;
(b) his income, assets and liabilities;
(c) the assets of his wife, children or relative acquired through or traceable to his income; and
(d) gifts made by him in value exceeding one thousand dollars.
20. The declarations filed with the Commission and the records of the Commission in respect of those declarations are secret and confidential and shall not be made public, except where
a particular declaration or record is required to be produced for the purpose of, or in connection with any court proceedings against, or enquiry in respect of a declarant under this Act, the
Commissions of Inquiry Act or perjury under the Perjury Act
Their monthly salary brother Bob.
just a little correction, for fool it spelt{full] AND FOR DOSE it spelt {those} but great article.
Reflecting and looking to hop more…
Don’t see anything thing cracking the ice..
Everyone sits back as normal,so why try to create Bringing issues to light….
Looking around have not seen any signs of actions By Either institutions, NGO’s or the Masses..
Tell me something let me see where the grass is Greener as i am afraid. these weeds are all Rounded Up!
That’s right. Tell them be careful what they ask for. They said there will not be another 1979, they are right, it will not be like 1979, it might be worse.
LOL, who are you going to get to be killed for Lennnox…you are disillusioned
revolution huh? In a democracy, a revolution is on election day. This opposition just talk talk talk and when election come, they forget who they running against and put an election together like is high-school president they running for. Revolution, my ass! Tell the opposition to put their shit together and stop the beth-politics.
Indeed Lindon should not be fazed or dazed by this silly scare tactics. The people should not only stand behind Linton but infront him as well.
As usual Dominicans, we are beating our tablet and eating it ourselve that is why the institutions, particularly the legal system, appear so useless.
We are a nation of conclusion jumpers. Once sombody say “is dat man doowit” we drag him before the courts only to find that some little lawyer can set him free, then we cry fowl! Conspiracy! Tony! Skerreet! Tony! Savarin! Tony!
Why can we not follow the rules and observe the letter of the law so there will be no escape hatch for law breakers? We Dominicans are our own worst enemies. Yeh!
Remember that the Only person that was accepted on the commission by the Queen Counsel is the Chairman, Now add to that the two DLP nominated members and they could very well call for a police investigation as a majority since the commision now has 5 sitting members instead of seven.
Remember that two members have been barred from sitting on the commission
The Queen Counsel call for the resignation of the rest of the members was just a smokescreen to imply that the issue was with the entire commission.
Now ask the question of yourself, ” What does the leaked information have to do with the commission proceeding with the matter before it?” the two matters are entirely separate and the latter can only serve as a distraction to the first.
Secondly, what are they going to do ? Prosecute Lennox Linton for divulging the information provided to him as a journalist? Are they going to force him to disclose his sources ?
Have we now done away with Freedom of the Press in Dominica?
This entire debacle is very disturbing to me and should concern every Dominican.
It seems the law and institutions of the state now exist only for the protection of a few other than the protection of the masses as they were intended ….
Lennox may well have to say who gave him such information.Lennox is no journalist.He is just a one sided frustrated individual.
I am always at lost when it comes to understanding the affairs of Dominica. The Prime Minister asset and finances should not be a secret so why is there an investigation. This has to be public knowledge. ONly in DOminica we investigating the wrong things. We should be able to find this information publicly, not a secret.. Gosh.
Here is where you are totally wrong. Lennox does not have to and I advise him not to say anything. Remember, the PM pleaded the 5th, having sworn to uphold the Constitution of Dominica as our leader! Yeah, he pleaded, “self-incrimination” and read what Gertel Thom said. The reality is Dominicans would not stand by and allow the criminal prosecution of Lennox on this matter. This would be the straw that breaks the Carmel’s back and Lennox would be fully vindicated. All hell would break loose.
Secondly, Lennox is more than a journalist. Remember the comments of Ken Richards at a Panel discussion on media matters with Kamala fresh upon his return to Dominica from the BBC, when he tried to ridicule Lennox hoping to find favour with those in or supporting the cesspool of corruption in Dominica?. Where is he now? No Journalist in Dominica can come close to the respect that people at home and abroad have for Lennox as a media personality (okay not a journalist by definition). Do you consider Bill O’Rielly of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh as journalists? Well they are among the highest rated television and radio personalities in the US.
Thirdly, you say Lennox is one sided. Well a coin only have two sides. Wrong only has one side Correct. Bad has one side good. Justice could be found in a compromise but its reverse is injustice. One cannot fault Lennox to be opposed to untruth, injustice, corruption and abuse of process. Too many of us are willing to be tainted and give a blind eye to the evil among us. Lennox has decided not to do that and I applaud him for that. He is one sided yes – like me and many others we cannot support the nonsense that Skerrit is involved with. PERIOD.
Lastly, you say he is frustrated. Shouldn’t you and all Dominicans be too? Aren’t patriots and lovers of country all frustrated? Sorry if you are not but I am and so too are the majority of Dominicans.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
That is so very true, how can individual spend his entire life in a court room?????
i agree with this comment
Citizen Kane: “Now ask the question of yourself, ‘What does the leaked information have to do with the commission proceeding with the matter before it?’”
Simple answer: Contaminated process.
Citizen Kane: “It seems the law and institutions of the state now exist only for the protection of a few other than the protection of the masses as they were intended…” How ironic that Citizen Kane would now scream for protection for the “masses” (a.k.a the few bloodhounds who are desperate to destroy one man) when he, just a few weeks ago, could not care less about the protection of the rights of that one man whom he and his accomplices so unashamedly seek to persecute.
Citizen Kane, remind your band of marauders that justice is for ALL of us…the target of the inquiry and the few whom you all consider to be “masses”!
remove that picture peeping tom it is upsetting
Excellent observation and analysis. I hope that contributions like these will speed up the awakening from the nightmare we are in at present.
If lennox Linton studied journalism he would discretion. Becareful what you wish for.all corruption will be exposed. However be deplomatic.seems more like a vendetta than exposing the truth..
In his speech on the implementation of the IPO in September 2008, Chairman Johnson commend the PM , the Leader of the Opposition, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Dominica and the Dominican Bar Association on the assiduity with which they undertook their duty in advising the President on the appointment of the members of the Commission.
It was the Chairman, himself- not Tony, who said that the aforementioned bodies have brought together a team of persons covering a wide spectrum of talent and sustained experiences from long and distinguished service including. In his view, the appointing authorities got it right. Now Tony says they all got it wrong and shamefully our Courts and the IPO itself are bowing to his arrogance.
The Chairman went out of his way to thank interest groups, including the owners/managers of the mass media, for encouraging and advancing public dialogue in the press, on the television and on the radio on public integrity thereby creating wide public awareness of the purposes and functions of the IPO.
According to the Chairman, “Sometimes, the mass media can get it wrong. Sometimes, the media can be grossly unfair and can serve sectional interests. But a responsible, objective, vibrant, free and courageous media does play a very important role in the guaranteeing of proper standards in public life in liberal democracies. They have a duty to monitor the workings of Government and the workings of the Parliament on behalf of the public. They play a key role in enhancing public awareness of good governance and rule of law issues.”
But from inception, Senior Counsel Astaphan has attacked the appointment of every non-government nominated members of the IPO calling their nominations “despicable”, whereas he remained silent in the face of the double standards when Vanoulst Jno Charles, an open advocate of the DLP is nominated. Since then Tony has called for the total abolishment of the IPO and the resignation of its members, except the Chairman. For the sake of love for country- I question why is Tony insists in doing what he is doing? It seems because Dominicans have allowed him to do it with impunity. We should all be outraged by this abuse of the judicial process by one person.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
Seems lot’s of peeps getting wrong.This is corruption at the highest order.
AS I live read, watch TV, listen to the radio discuss with D/cans and analyze.I understand the early events during the cuban revolution better.
When Castro’s sister, close friends skipped Havana, were imprisoned shot by firing squards etc
and thousands disappeared it now falls in place make lots sense.
DA needs a purge absolute at that.
It is clear to all and sundry hypocrtically and otherwise.Many are like the song said moomoos but talking behind close doors.
Forget the politicans and look at the beneficeries
Jailing without going thru the legal process would be best by real patriots not those on radio daily but serious ones.
The contradiction which is most interesting is all those once former commies are abators of the crimes of this greedy regime opposition IPO and others of the greed and power craven ilk.
Even cuban trained opportunist are on the band wagon. What more is news if the leader is a transplant, like the president .Secriuty min etc.
It’s more than a bad joke on D/cans.
This is déjà vu all over again. All where this man has worked and been ends up in heated controversies. History keeps repeating itself.
A wise /knowledgeable man never speaks so much
Wisdom is silent and quiet
Wisdom is silent and quiet? Where you get that one there. Wisdom speaks truth; how bout that.
So then, you should shut up…
I think you are correct in some, but the quote is from my musical icon Jimi Hendrix…Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens
So true.journalism what.We need lennox to print his degree in journalism.because journalism 411 is not just proof but you have to fellow the countries constitution see hw the kick out from Antigua.he needs to.
Not sure why Lennox is wasting his precious time Every Sunday trying to raise the national discuss..
Can’t he not see that infact it’s making the Citizens Weaker…
Dominicans get way too comfortable sitting at Their homes relaxing calling for a few mins then Everything is back to normal….
Lennox my best advice to you, impossible to be a Martin Luther King or a Nelson Mandela type in Dominica…they wil say yea yea, but when it comes To making the Move they back down and resort to All kinds of aspects…
Dominican were never and will never be Winners Boss Man, that’s the culture of the People..
You can’t change a stiff necked Society Boss..
Their Ignorance is what makes them Highly Proud!
Comments like those of Mangoes,are the reasons why Tony and the Skerrit Labor Government treat us like kakadoors according to Tony.Thanks God for Lennox and the patriots.
But is true., DOminicans are cowards, they do not stand for what is right. They talk talk talk and when it comes to stand with Lennox and others they run hiding. They just the gossip and like to know whats the latest gossip. Nothing else. I do not think Lennox should give them any more information.
poor dominicans. Lennox is trying to show us what the future will be if we do not open our eyes. Eat today and cry tomorrow.
Mangoes: “Lennox my best advice to you, impossible to be a Martin Luther King or a Nelson Mandela type in Dominica…they wil say yea yea, but when it comes To making the Move they back down and resort to All kinds of aspects…”
You dare mention the name Lennox Linton in the same vein as that of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela? Are you for real or are you that clueless about what Mandela and King stood for? A simple Google search will help you.
Indeed, Lennox deserves much praise for doing what he does.
It is difficult but he must continue fighting the good fight. It is when the pressure is most intense that we know that we are wining the battle for truth and justice.
It takes pressure..lots of it over a long period of time to turn matter into precious metal and stones, which people then fight over because of its increased value.
Lennox of all people must know that the journey is not going to be easy towards the land of freedon, true independence justice .
The fight mus be continued. We must keep fighting and yes..we must have faith that we will one day succeed over the dead body of the King and all his knights, Senior Counsels and pupet solidiers.
We shall over come…How long??..not long.. soon.. we shall overcome whether the justice system delays its judgment or the police turns on the people’s demand for truth and justice.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
I can never in my life support leaders who are illicitly enriching themselves at the expense of the state. Lennox i salute you brother.
I support you in not supporting such leaders. However, I hope you never support persons who seek to create institutions to serve their selfish and evil ends. And, i hope you surely do not support evil men and women whose sense of justice does not go beyond justice for them and their associates or else one day, you just may be a victim of their definition of justice.
mesieur allu, give him room, he toufaying!! bai leh bai leh….
FAN HIM, FAN HIM, GIVE HIM WATER TO DRINK!
The more all you try to block, hide, create kangaroo court and delays the worst the PM looks just and FYI. If I ever doubted Lennox I’m sorry because an innocent man holding the office of PM can’t have all that drama and everybody inching to block and stall. IPO all of a sudden Tony drag them to court and decide they should be fired wants investigation? What you all need to investigate are the allegations looming over the PM enough with the hypochrisy. Where and how he gets info is irrelevant, the question remains IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO IT ALL? ANY PART OF IT? that’s what you all are getting paid to prove or dismiss and make Lennox pay for his tongue. In this day and age these clowns just showed the world how inept they are and out of touch with the daily realities of information gathering. Pay back the treasury the money you all have been paid and Tony need to really fire every one of you this morning.
Yeah yeah yeah…..i support your point but get your own handle man….
awah I have had this handle for a long time no 2. I post off and on when I on dry dock. A very long time since the original DNO with my buddy Merrick.
Thanks for the support maybe I will put NO 1 before my name then in the future ok.
DRAMA AND KOSHONYEE. Something is drastically wrong.First time in our history a leader of government has soo many things hanging over him..
The only ones blocking and stalling the process are those who through sheer desperation to persecute and skin one man are resorting to all manner of underhand, dirty, and criminal techniques. The more they do, the more the PM and his lawyers will have reason to cry foul and to prove to the world that this investigation is nothing more than a witch hunt.
So, if you so love your Lennox Linton and his associates, ask them to “chill out” and let the process have its way as per the Act. Stop sabotaging the process!
It is the IPO, which has an obligation to keep the information it receives confidential, not a journatlist who receives such info. through a third source and then publicly discloses it, unless such disclosure is treason i.e. affects the national security. The impression we get right now, reinforced by this request for police action is that:
– there are leaks at high level, not necessarily at the IPO itself, and that the PM is increasingly distrustful of those around him.
– that the revelations made by Lennox Linton are true and rather then challenge their veracity the messenger must be silenced.
– that the IPO was created as a screen to block unwelcome inquiries into the financial affairs, particularly of the P.M. rather than foster transparency.
This is very unfortunate and I doubt whether any citizens in their right mind will now report a case of suspected malpractice in public office
to the IPO.
Actually that is incorrect. Please see Sections 20 and 21 of the ACT. Both parties who divulge confidential information are liable i.e., the authorized recipient and the unauthorized recipient who publishes.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Thank you Roseau Valley. Your learned advice is much appreciated.
– If the information was already in the public domain can any subsequent disseminator of the same still be held liable- and prosecuted for divulging that information?
– If said information is published by a source, located outside our jurisdiction, say by posting it on the world-wide web from a location outside
Dominica would that source still be liable/could be prosecuted under our laws?
Many thanks.
and that is why the IPO is launching an internal investigation. Daaaaa
its “duhhhhhhhhh”! not daaaaa…………..sort!
Yeah, in your ideal world/society, the law and infringement of the law would have no consequence.
I myself am fed up with the constant drumbeat and accusations of corruption on the part of the PM. However badly I want this to stop and for him to bear the burden of his supposed crimes, I still want us to follow the letter of the law in finding what, if anything, the PM is hiding and what he’s done wrong.
And that to me is the issue. We must continually strive to not let the law of the jungle rule. We must endeavor to be a nation of laws – regardless of our frustrations and the snail’s pace necessary for carrying out the law.
Humpty Dumpty logic that only stands the reason that is dominant in Lala Land and fantasy terrace. The Grimm Brothers would love you.
That comment was for Malatete, in case he/she had nay doubt.
In light of this, I am suggesting that all civic Dominicans must take up the challenge and petition his / her parliamentary Rep to set the wheel in motion so we can implement a “freedom of information Act”
I know I will have grey hair before this bear fruit, but we must start somewhere,….
wasting police time and resources. time and effort should be diverted to solving the unsolved crime. is tony asstaphan the commissioner of police?. does he determined who should or who should not be investigated. why doesn’t he submit himself to the police to be questioned in relation to G.O.N attempted murder.
In this failed state called Dominica he the commissioner.This is not the first time he is commanding the police what to do, and they have to do it. Remember they went to the Newspaper asking questions re the GON EMMANUEL attempted murder
Why do you sound so angry? So…vex!
so what the IPO is trying is “keep mouths shut and soon the corruption allegations will be swept under the rugs” crazy place!!!
You just hit the nail on its head. but the allegations will intensify.
They about to lose the $4000 plus all the extra perks monthly for doing absolutely nothing, so now they want to pull a fast one since take them to court. One day that country will function as it should
What about the lost of respect and integrity of the IPO itself- That has been lost too, unless the investigation would reveal the real source of teh leak is from those beating the drums of the leak.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
WAS THE IPO set up to aid and abet corruption? Why we just cannot have at least one functional institution on island? So from its inception, this is the only instance when the IPO saw that the police should be called in to help?
OMG OMG OMNG OMG OMG OMG
thinking the same. why didn’t the IPO ask for the police for assistance in investigating the PM? im so ready to run away from this country.
Because the IPO found that no reason to. Simple as that!
Who is using my Met Yo name without permission? Some idle labourite? lmao. You cannot be MEt Yo. There is only one Met Yo. Long I doh comment on DNO, I decide to return today and I seeing my handle is being used. lol
If i know Lennox well, this is putting fuel in his tank.
Continue Doing a Magnificent Job Lennox. One day the evil doers will be brought to justice.
Good to hear your god Lennox does no wrong…but is only a frustrated Doer does what he does..This guy can be very Bias sometimes.
You know it is in times like this when Lennox really need our support, prayers and love. More than when he is lifted as a Man of the year. It takes a lot of courage, perseverance, love for people and country to do what Lennox alone can do and has been doing. He is a national treasure to be cherished and protected.. Lennox is indeed a great guy. He is truly a hero. I love this man for all he stands for. He has my unwavering support
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Sure, the tank of the vehicle that goes nowhere. Notwithstanding years of persecution, the object of his efforts has actually grown in popularity. Lol! Yea, that vehicle eh going nowhere.
Well, if Mr.LL has information sharing on the ‘Between you and Me’ radio program that is supposed to be kept confidential and kept secret, there’s only one place it can come from, and that is the members of the IPO. Someone inside there may be breaching their oath of secrecy and is leaking out information “black-is-white” to persons who are not allowed to have it.
breach wat hell oath? their is no DAMN oath in WRONGDOING
sot,sot,sot,sot to the 7th power
One has to be careful and suspect about the import of this article and try to decifer the real intent in calling attention to information leak from the IPO commission.
The fact remains that information leaks are not new and sometimes serves a useful purpose in allowing a little sunshine into the arcane and sometimes opaque deliberations of a commission whose compositions may not inspire a great deal of confidence among the public.
Of all the ills that bedevil this IPO commission, the prospect of information leaks is not and should not be its top concern.
From the public’s perpective, the top concern with regards to the IPO is the personal integrity of the members of the IPO commission : Their ability, or inability to carry out the mandate of their appointments due to character flaws or prejudicial positions constitute a far greater danger to the IPO than any perceived leak of information.
Stated differently, the risk that the IPO commission could be infected by the presence of a commissioner who who is biased in favor of the regime and conducts himself without regard to the spirit and intent of the IPO act, constitutes a far greater danger to our democracy than a garden variety leak which is not uncommon even in advanced democracies.
While on this subject it is useful to observe that there are many Dominicans who are queasy about the presence of Julian Johnson as chairman of the commission, and this is not only because of his embrace by the most controversial in the country, Tony Astaphan,but also because those who know him best know Mr. Johnson as someone who loves to operate under cover of darkness and has a tendency to display Machiavellian propensities…………. The man just cannot be tusted to be the guardian of honesty and accountability in our democracy.
In fact I will go a step further to say that the dearth of men of honour and integrity in our country is one of the greatest weaknesses undermining our democracy; our institutions are weak and dysfunctional primarily because some are populated by men and women who who are more intereted in pursuing their own agenda ahead of acting on principle and working to preserve the integrity of the institutions they are entrusted to preserve and defend.
I do not condone the leak of confidential information, but given the lack of confidence in the integrity of the commissioners, especially on the government side, I find it laughable that the focus is placed on information leak, not on the quality on representation the public is receiving from the commission.
To be sure, a little bit of leaking may be necessary to keep the commissioners honest.
I concur. I share your views. Great contribution.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
I was hoping to learn something new from your long post. Sorry, this is yet another example of innuendo, casting aspersions, and grand speculation.
Unless, like Mr. Astaphan, you are calling on the Commissioners to resign en mass, as you ascribe public disgust with its membership.
Regardless to who the Commissioners are, unless Joe Public overtly calls for their heads for lack of performance while in office, then this is what we have to work with.
As frustrated as I am with the constant drip-drip of all sorts of allegations of wrongdoing on the part of the Government, led by the PM, the question for me is: how best do we pursue the mission of stamping out corruption in our country’s highest place?
Where we have laws to direct us on how to deal with the grave issue of corruption in government, I say lets err on the side of the law.
Referee: “Of all the ills that bedevil this IPO commission, the prospect of information leaks is not and should not be its top concern.”
Oh but, referee, aren’t we concerned in the IPO about integrity, probity, accountability, and transparency? How then can you ask the IPO to be selective in which of these values it holds dear? And, by which criteria do you decide for the IPO which values it must pursue? Further, what authority do YOU have to determine for the IPO that it should not be concerned about integrity and probity but instead should focus on accountability and transparency? See how ridiculously skewed your logic is?
Referee, you amuse!!
Peeping Tom: Go back and read my piece above and you will understand why the average reader will be amused at your lack of comprehension of the English language.
Referee, how can you write apiece of mumbo jumbo that jumps everywhere from topic to nowhere, struggling to build a cogent argument, and yet pretend to be a stalwart of the English language. You see how much of a comic you are?!
You have been dismissed, Referee!
Peeping, you are so good at what you do. You are very skilled in spinning of truth and serving falsities as half baked truths. It takes one with a certain level of intelligence to decipher your skillful packaging of hogwash as palatable offerings for the ignorant among us.
I admire your dgednes. I applaud you my brother and wish I was so richly blessed with your gift of turning truths to lies and vice versa.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
boi that long
@ Referee. A Good piece.I use to hear much about this Johnson guy by those who were, and some who are still his associates. I am now putting the pieces together.
There are only a few things in life with a probability of 1. The rest is between 0 to 1
Such is the nature of time especially when you can pray and others praying for you.
Yes Father power is not a toy for man (lesser mortals) to play with. Forgive us Father
The joke will be on Tony! LOL!
Boy Trevor; you are in love with Tony, you live to harass the love of your life!
Anyway thanks for not calling him your usual name in this forum oui!
By the time it is all over Tony might split your head in two.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Son how are you ? happy new year from your father name sake
Dodds I see Skerrit bought your love.
Hahaha, Tony will have too many heads to split in two, Trevor you are not alone, i agree with you
To you Francisco Erienne. Trevor have the love of his life and for sure it’s not Tony, hell no not that cockroach you fool
That IPO is called integrity in public office, but so far it is acpo, accomplice for corrupt public officers, , only in Dominica boy!
i agree. The rationale for creation of the IPO is the promotion of good governance and the elimination of corruption in the economic management of modern democratic state.
It is not to protect the corrupt by use of legal technicalities and gymnastics. I say so noting that the legal framework of the IPO and in fact the entire judicial system must be interpreted as a comprehensive system, without lacunae and failures so that its core mandate is fulfilled.
In that regard, the IPO must act fairly vis-à-vis its members, public officials, those who seek to use its services and the general public. It is clearly understood that it has a role to ensure that the procedural rights and all legal protection are afforded to every Party and do everything in its power to make sure that everyone gets full legal and judicial protection.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
So instead of going after those in public office who stand accused before the IPO of improper conduct and self-enrichment, they going behind the messanger.
Let’s see how fast the Police will give a report on this one, considering that they have taken more than two years to come up with anything concrete on the attempted murder of GON Emmanuel.
Many dominicans are very selfish people. Once they get their issues resolved they could give a rat’s about yours.
You see. Some people have so much bad grudges that they break the same laws they accuse others of not following. Sometimes Dominicans have to think. When you bring evidence only court or authorities should know about into public yo, only give the defendant the upper hand on making the best move before the authorities. Lennox cool n he have his allegiances but sometimes he go too far. He have to become at least slightly professional and more unbiased. Every single move a govt make cannot be wrong. Sometimes you have to give jack his jacket. You cannot always fight every move as a bad one.
Lennox need legal advise when he receives info before taking it to the public
I concur! I hope that he takes your advice. However, you should be careful what you ask for because “good” lawyers are generally very conservative, careful, patient and risk adverse. These are not always operate or are motivate to act like journalist do in this fast pace world of technology where a few minutes makes a difference between news and history.
Whereas lawyers like to have solid evidence moving ahead, Lennox work of social justice will sometimes demand that he takes some reasonable risk with the use of information to be very effective.
Respectfully
Roseau Valey
Credit the man with enough intelligence to do just that before he goes public.
The IPO is the reason why many intelligent, capable and upstanding people are reluctant to take up position related to a public office. The IPO invades your privacy and wants to know every single thing about you. Now, when you bring in fellas like Lennox, who has no qualms about putting your business on the radio, business you trusted the IPO to keep secret, well, in no way will I be taking up any position in which the IPO has to be told my business. Right now, we are blind because the focus is on Skerrit but obviously, the same thing can happen to any other person whose information is in the hands of the IPO. This has to stop.
“This has to stop.”
Oh yeah, it must! The thing is, not enough voices are saying this. So, the loud ones get heard and the insanity continues and Dominica cannot move on beyond the mere creation of structures of governance.
Yes Peeping……You know excatly what has to stop and it will soon. It will stop soon becase the majority of voices are saying it and the majority of hearts are feeling it. It will stop. Yes It will.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
This is really something eh? So the IPO is now turning away from the real investigation to investigate lennox Linton? This is a sick society, and one day Dominicans will all perished alive in their ignorance and tolerance for injustice. I pray that God will not spare one of them. Two men acting with one mind, is on single mission to sow nothing but corruption to the most gullible and digestible pallets of people who does not seems to care what point in time it is. There is an old saying, “give a black food and you will win his confidence”. I never thought i would live to see this fulfillment in such a perfect manifestation as the Dominica people. You give them a turkey ro ham for xmas, and they are yur forever!!!!!
Sick people.
No, it is not “turning away from the real investigation to investigate lennox Linton?” It is doing all it has to do, whether it means proceeding with its investigation of the PM or of Jack and Jill.
By the way, what is the “real investigation?” SMH!!
Granted. The IPO may be doing what it believes it has to do to ensure that it plays it safe but it is certainly not actively doing what it is so mandated to do as promptly as expected. And it does appear that the IPO (Chairman) seems more eager to proceed with investigation of an alleged leak by Jack and Jill rather than pursuing its mandate of investigating allegations of corruption of the PM.
What is the investigation about you ask: Oh, permit me to remind you. It is an allegation brought by Lennox, which the IPO found to be credible that your PM used his official influence as Chairman of Cabinet (whether or not he was present during part of a two day meeting) to secure concessions for a business concern in which it is alleged that he holds ownership interest.
It is therefore a two pronged investigation Peeping. His alleged influence on Cabinet in granting the concession and his alleged interest in the property. I trust that you have it clear now.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
My friend are you for real? I guess you are
not Dominican to wish that on your own people. You see when the ship starts to burn or sink the rats are first to jump ship. Every nation has had its period of national challenge in every form. Note the first world countries that you laud so much had periods of acute national division that resulted in civil wars and untold suffering.
Give your country a chance believe in the resilience of your kind. You must crawl before you walk my friend. Contribute constructively in deeds and thought. Empower not devour. PEACE
I’m still very confused as to how matters with the leader of our country, another public servant, gets to be secrete and confidential. I thought these positions required more clarity. What was it that this administration claimed the last administration didn’t have and was given as a major reason for voting them out? Was it transparency? Yes I think so.
When I was a young man my mother would say to me,”do so never like so.” Presently, Mr. Lennox Linton is being vilified by some people, because it is alledged that information concerning Skerrit,s confidential business was declared to the public by him. We have heard of so many confidential information pertaining to Dominicans being declared on radio by Skerrit and Tony, therefore, why are so peeved .Case in point,remember the case of the amount of money owed to Government by Martin.Remember, the case of Mr. Makenzie.Remember,the declaration made by Tony, concerning Lennox’s bank account,in fact, it was read on a radio station. My mom was right.In my opinion,it would appear that when Tony says jump,some people,some institutions would ask how high.You see, all that roro involving Skerrit and the IPO,is just an effort to prevent Skerrit from being brought before the IPO.
I remember these examples. It seems you are saying that the revealing of this information was wrong. I guess you will also agree that the leak of information from an institution that has sworn to keep all information it receives “confidential” is equally wrong. In this case, you have no defence for the guilty. It is heartening to see!
Tony called for the IPO to investigate how Lennox got this information and so we see the IPO is complying. Is that how the IPO is independent? Let’s see if the investigation will drag on like Emmanuel’s case. From that reaction we can say that the disclosed information is true and based on what I heard, it appears that the IPO is soft on corruption. Let me make it clear, I do not support the disclosure of confidential information. I am just commenting on what I heard and it is interesting what is happening behind close door within institution designed to protect us.
Indeed, when I first saw the DNO story, what came to mind was that the IPO was requesting the help of the police in investigating the claim brought by Lennox. Although late I was for a moment encouraged. It never occusrred to me that the IPO had such ability to so swiftly conduct or request investigations on any matter as it appears to be so concerned with “confidentiality”.
We have reasons to be shocked by this news and that is not because we believe that anyone is above the law. We all agree that confidentiality must be of paramount concerns for the effective functioning of the IPO and where there may be a breach of confidentiality it should be thoroughly investigated. However, one gets the feeling that Dominica is now dancing consciously or unconsciously according to the tune played by one man and if that is the way we are proceeding with this IPO I too agree with that defacto PM that the IPO should be done away with forthwith as it is just another political tool of the politicians.
In as much as confidentially is important, allegation of its breach ought not trump the search for justice, transparency and accountability. It is scary what is happening in Dominica.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
Lennox called for the IPO to investigate Skerrit and they did. So the IPO is dealing fair.
Always sweeping dirt under the rug until someone pulls up the carpet.
Confidentiality vis-a-vis the core functions of the IPO
Section 20 of the IPO (ACT No. 6 of 2003), highlights the importance of confidentiality of the work of the IPO. The records of the Commission in respect of all filed declarations are secret and confidential and shall not be made public with some statutory exceptions.
Section 21 stipulates that every member and every person performing any function in the service or as an employee of the Commission shall treat all declarations, or information relating to such declarations as secret and confidential and shall not disclose or communicate to any unauthorized person or allow any such person to have access to any such declarations or information.
A person who contravenes the above commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars or one year imprisonment or to both such fine and imprisonment.
An unauthorized person who publishes information that comes to his/her knowledge commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars or one year imprisonment or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Therefore, where the IPO believes that the level of confidentiality may have been breached, the matter should be investigated and those found guilty must be dealt with.
Having said this, the search for the breach of any confidentiality is not the core mandate of the Commission and should only be a side matter in the scheme of things. It cannot now be the central thrust of the IPO moving forward.
The IPO was enacted with broad objects stated in its long title thus:
“An Act to provide for the establishment of an Integrity Commission for the purpose of receiving declarations on the financial affairs of persons holding specific positions in public life, for the purpose of establishing probity, integrity and accountability in public life and for related matters.”
The IPO’s core functions include to ;
– receive, examine and keep on record all filed declarations by persons in public life;
– make independent enquiries and investigations relating to the statutory declaration as it thinks necessary in order to verify or determine the accuracy of any such declaration;
– inquire into any allegation of bribery, or act of corruption under the Act,
– receive and investigate any complaint regarding non- compliance with any provisions of the Act and to perform other functions as is required under the Act.
In light of the above, it is hoped that this is merely a kind voir dire and the IPO will soon get back on track in undertaking its core functions as mandated under statute free of the frivolous, vexatious, and abuse of process by the Senior Counsel and the injection of partisan politics in the affairs of the Commission and the development of teh country. Dominicans shoudl be outraged with the conduct of those Senior Counsels who are using the legal framework to frustrate the development our democracy, albeit I admire the good lawyering tactics to procet his client- who is not just his private client by the leader of the country who has sworn to uphold the law.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
A Valley pest to be control.
Perhaps the Minister of National Security would like to take note of your desire to control the population of disgusting cocroaches and cacadores who are opposed to your view of things.
Hence the reason, we need to investigate the intentions of Malik whatever Mugabe.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
In the civilized world where I reside, not even the President’s affair with an intern is confidential. This is nothing but a smoke-screen and a pre-emptive strike to turn the plaintiff into the defendant. These are sad days for Dominica; people open your eyes and see where we are heading. Next, we know who will be the one who gets indicted, and the villain will be victorious inspite of prima facie evidence. I saw it in the movie “A long time coming”. It’s all a part of the next level in good governance D/can style.
Lennox ought to stand firm and we the believers will continue to stand for the truth, cause only the truth will set us free.
Which IPO that is asking fr the police help? S it the IPO that Tony wants disbanded or s the one who wants to investigate the Villa affairs. Let us wait and see cause once Tony wants to demoutay the IPO and at the same time he wants the IPO to investigate who released the truth about the compromising behavior of the IPO regarding the corrupt behavior of the minsters.
Hmmm I wonder why Tony and SKERRIT did not decide to sue Lennox for defamation. Is it cease Lennox read the truth and facts or is it because they are avoiding the courts by all means cause going to court would reveal more embarrassing details?
Is this IPO really doing its work? When will the people of Dominica be frred from all that level of KOSHONYEE,by men and institutions that the tax payers are paying cowards to lead?
The people who leak the information are the ones to be blamed, not the media. Once the media get the info, it is the responsibility to report it to the public without been bias. Any info collect on any public figure or political lead is fair game. No one is exempted reguardless of who you are.
but i tot they were after how and who leaked the info not the person it was leaked to..i may be wrong?!!!
Sometime ago it was to go find who “JOsh Shaw” was, now it is to go question Mr Linton…Everytime you all leaders who are raping the country are cornered, you all look for scapegoats.
Mr Carbon we need investigations into the attempted murder of GON EMMANUEL and his wife.
You all are making Mr Honourable,CAPTAIN,HANDSOME, Lennox the Patriot LInton MY Boy LOLLIPOP, the Vanguard of Good Governance, the Most Esteemed and Famous Personality On Dominica…In a country where corruption is bursting to its seam,a man like Lennox is held on a pedestal by 000 000 000 000 000 000 of Dominicans who love Dominica,
HE IS ALREADY 2013 MAN OF THE YEAR.
LOVE YOU LENNOX.
2013 Dominica Man of the year…..
I guess, they made a mistake on the P in the IPO and made it public. This should tell us one thing, is that there is no integrity anywhere. And where there is no Integrity there bound to be corruption. Now I am left to wonder why were they trying to get rid of everyone on the IPO when the problem was not within the IPO but outside.
So who are we kidding?
That is why i can never support the CCJ, everyone knows someone and this is some serious business. People should be made to answer where they got this information from, i know that the CCJ has nothing to do with this issue but look down the line and see if it wont connect…
I Respect Lennox’s Program but one slight aspect.
He gets a bit over carried with info that should Be For Court Chambers Only..
That is his slight weak point as we are all humans Who make mistakes..
Most times it’s like he is trying the Case on Air
He needs to be a bit more canned in terms of Matters which could Prejudice or ruin a matter..
As a Professional you can discuss issues without Reading out exact details that is needed in court.
Lennox as a Prof take the advice from the Owl..
The more he saw the less he spoke!!
No when to blast issues but don’t read exact Contents of letters that are their for evidence.
Lennox should realise the Dominican Society does Not act on upon all his information he is bringing Light too…
He clearly needs to understand the Dominican Society and it’s Present Structure..
The Masses don’t act on issues…THAT’S FACTUAL.
If the Masses of Dominica like you as someone they Admire as sadly they do with Prime Minister Skerrit…your attempts to bring around change Just won’t work in this island of THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA..
I may not be around on planet earth.but upcoming Election will prove you wrong!
Didn’t the Former Prime Minister of St.Vincent Tell your Program what it says about a People When You played the statement of this Corrupt Prime Minister at a Roseau Valley Rally in 2005.
Come on think deep!..Dominica is a funny island!
I am fan of Lennox but I am 100% with you on this. It would seem that before they receive a little info they run with it, causing the other team to quickly pull their pants up. I have been saying this for year. They talk too much and much too quickly. Come on guys, Don’t rush with what information you receive to public so quickly. It ALWAYS ALWAYS backfire, with each and every story. Never a Bombshell! and the other team always come out the winner.
Yes, I agree with you that if Lennox or anyone has in fact obtained confidential information, he should be careful in the use of that information in public.
Yes, if indeed if confidential information was leaked, as an experienced journalist one should be a bit more canned in terms of matters that could potentially prejudice a case. You would appreciate that the same would apply to the very Senior Counsel who has access and uses highly confidential, personal information of the state and of private citizens to ridicule those who do not sing from the same hymn sheet with him on his talk show. Counsel has exposed lawful requests made to the Ministry of Finance by private citizens for certain tax exemptions. Counsel shares critical information with supports of his party to be used to undermine law abiding citizens.
But isn’t it shameful that we are conceding the above as Dominicans in the 21st Century. Should we so proudly refer to ourselves in that way. That as a society we do not act on upon relevant information that is meant to enlighten us in making reasoned and objective decisions.
That our people do not act on issues but rather are more persuaded by partisan political hogwash and propaganda.
That the attempts to bring around change based on the hard facts and issues will not work in this island of and election after elections will prove that fact. We are more concerned with the peripheral side shows perhaps physical features such as who has dimples and who ugly rather than who is “teething” the treasury and earning income that they cannot account for.
As the PM has observed, we the people get the government we deserve and the governance we permit. Is that what we deserve and permit in Dominica? Is this the next level of our intelligence, and pride in Country as a people?
I refuse to accept that. We are better than that. We do think higher and deeper than you OWL. That is not who we are as a people. We have not resigned our fate as a nation of inherently docile, corrupt, law breaking, cheating liars. I refuse to accept that.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
In people like you there lies hope for the future of Dominica
But the public had already known all the info before it was brought to the IPO. And what should be so confidential about a public servant who’s alleged to acquire tremendous wealth that has never been disclosed? . We may not be as educated as the lawyers who defend….. but we got a great deal of common sense. You check?
Owls only hunt at night and sleep during the day. Go back to sleep!
This is long overdue. No one is above the law not even Lennox.
In Dominica many are above the law.It depends on which side of the political fence you are standing,and for whom you are cheating,lying and stealing..
Totally agree with you .Absolutely no one is above the law. let us teach the colprits a lesson. It time for these type of nonsense in Dominica to stop.
let see the new commissioner do a job firm and fear on that matter.
Whoever broke the law on that mattter should be brougth before the courts.
The main issue before the IPO for investigation is a complaint that the PM as chairman of the cabinet used his official influence to secure concession for a business venture in which he is alleged to have an ownership interest in Blaircourt
The Commission must remain focus on its initial view that investigations is necessary to ascertain whether the PM has committed a breach of the provision of Rule 1(e) of the Code of Conduct and ensure that its inquiry continues into the matter, irrespective of the madness that is blowing in the wind and seemly affecting everyone.
After all, the PM has already stated that he welcomes the probe into the matter as it will prove “once and for all” that he isn’t involved in the villa scandal. He said that he has no interest in those villas and he has not acted in any way in breach of the code of conduct under the act. Therefore, according to him, the issue of conflict of interest in Cabinet does not arise because he has said on countless occasions that he is not the owner and he does not have monies invested in Blaircourt. He swore to the nation that he never used his office for personal gains and he has no doubt that this will be satisfactory established by the IPO. So let the truth be told to finally putting the matter to rest and stop all the shenanigans.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
Has anyone read the story that cyclist Lance Amstrong, winner on multiple occasions of the grueling Tour De France, is considering admitting to doping to gain unfair advantage, something he has denied for years.
The lesson: There is a trust deficit everywhere you look these days, from politicians to religious leaders, to business leaders, lawyers and other professionals and sportsmen.
This is why it is absolutely essential that every effort be made to proceede with the inquiry and force the prime minister to testify under oath.
If we are serious about the notion that no man is above the law, well, this investigation, if allowed to proceed, will present an opportunity to test our commitment to that ideal.
The investigation that information which should remain private is made public is a serious breach of trust. The IPO have information which covers more than just Cabinet Ministers. It is imperative that the body maintains the highest level of trust and confidentiality. To leak information entrusted to them of anyone unless it is court mandated is wrong, wrong, wrong. Lennox should learn to be diligent in his deliberation before he speaks. He has no regard of the implications that his hasty and rush to making info public might cause more harm to cause. He need to learn the pros and cons of his decisions. Basics: THINK BEFORE YOU TALK. There is no rational in his point of view.
Roseau Valley, you raise some interesting points there. Let me, however, make this observation:
First of all, nothing in the Commission’s present action in any way render its investigation into the matter concerning the PM moot.
That said, am also wondering, with this “leaking” of information sensitive to the investigation, if the inquiry by the Commission into the PM’s affair proved fruitful, might this so-called leak into the public domain hinder a prosecution in court?
To Truth Seeker.
Excellent observation. But no, the so called leak should not and will not affect potential criminal prosecution. The Act provides appropriate remedies for leaks that are investigated and proven.
But for argument sake, this may be a good reason and a blessing in disguise that the IPO has taken this approach to pursue the investigation and to give Skerrit and his lawyer an opportunity to be heard before proceeding with its investigation.
In that way when it completes its investigations, these issues would have been so thoroughly dealt with that if the findings are adverse to the interest of the PM, his lawyers would find it difficult to argue that they were not afforded natural justice, fairly treated or the investigation was compromised for breach of confidentiality etc.
So in that regard, the alleged leak could affect the eventual prosecution process but not necessarily the findings and conclusions of the IPO on the issues central to the claim.
Moreover, the IPO does not charge anyone or sanction anyone. It merely refers its findings to other authorities in the system of justice for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The damage is more political. If the IPO were to find that there is sufficient evidence to refer the matter to the Police/DPP for further prosecution, then from a political and legal standpoint the fortunes of the PM and those around him would suffer a nasty blow.
Let’s face it, assuming that Lennox or DNO received confidential info, do you really expect them to say so and if any member of the IPO whispered something to an unauthorized person do you really think they will say that. This investigation is going no where but it is good to have it as it further weakens the case of the defense at the time of the real prosecution as they will not be able to argue that the investigation was compromised by leaks and they did not have natural justice etc.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
@Anonymous If at all you are Dominican, you jolly well know that in Dominica there are people who are above the law. Can’t you remember the NO Law NO Constitution Can Stop Me arrogant pronouncement?
Good to go!
Lest we forget, the main issue confronting us is not the breach of confidentiality of information shared with the IPO- which could well have been deliberately leaked by the twisted minds of very side now beating the drums of confidentiality as a way to impede the work of the Commission.
They are well aware that if they were to leak some juicy info, Q95 and Between you and Me would obviously feats on it and this would afford them the opportunity to do exactly what they are now doing. In that regard the investigation is welcome.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Should be investigated and the perpetrators be brought to the proper justice and disciplinary committee and dealt with according to the IPO ACT..
Seriously?????
The first time I read the article I thought it read “IPO has written to the police for assistance to further investigate the matter brought before it by radio personality Lennox Linton against Roosevelt Skerrit regarding his alleged interest in the private properties in Portsmouth.”
Serious, I had to read the first few sentences around 3 times to really understand what was happening.
I wish the IPO was that aggressive in protecting the country’s resources as it is in protecting the politicians. Clearly, any fool can see where the interest of the IPO truly lies.
The IPO was established to prevent corruption in high office but I think it is more prepared to do the opposite.
I will continue to work hard and manage my money well so that I can retire comfortably. I do not want to mortgage my values on my last few days for a few extra bucks.
Seriously Aye Dominique….I warned you many time before, stop listening to lennox and all his gabbage talk. But in you all hatred for PM, you think he doing you guys a favour.
Here is a clause from the IPO
50. (1) A member of the Commission or the Secretary to the Commission shall not enter upon the duties of his office until he has taken the oath of allegiance, oath of office and oath of secrecy as specified in the Fourth Schedule.
Yes, we should stop listening to Lennox and start acting on the information he brings us so religiously.
.
Yes, we should take heed of Lennox’s relentless warnings of guys like you -Peeping, “No Name” among the other names that you use.
Yes, we should take note of your hatred for truth and your love for the continue abuse of process and this forum
Please stop it. You can’t honestly claim to be a lover of your country by the contents of your contributions. Whereas I respect your right to express your views, it is really shameful how you constantly spin the truth and undermine the moral growth of this Commonwealth democracy.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
you all are to political in dominica you must be a blue
You are so right!! The puppet investigates the puppet master.
what i got from all this is let court matter be court matter …i may be wrong!