The nation can expect an update on the progress of the police investigation into the controversial e-mails which allege wrongdoing by senior-ranked government officials, later this week, Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) Mervyn Richardson, said yesterday. Richardson, the man appointed by acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams to head the six-man team spearheading the probe, said they will also be aiming to complete the probe quickly.
“We are moving with rapid pace to complete this investigation,” Richardson told the T&T Guardian. Pressed to reveal details surrounding the investigation, Richardson declined to comment on whether any computers, cellphones or other items had been seized from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Local Government and Works Minister Suruj Rambachan and the PM’s National Security Advisor Gary Griffith, all of whom have denied any knowledge of the e-mails.
However, Richardson promised the media would be kept abreast of what was taking place. Richardson was appointed by Williams to determine the authenticity of e-mails released by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley in the Parliament last Monday. Rowley produced a series of e-mails allegedly bearing the addresses of the Prime Minister and other high-ranking party officials in which the Section 34 matter, which arose last September, was discussed among the officials.
Asked yesterday if Rowley had already been interviewed, Richardson said, “I cannot run the investigation in the media.” Pressed to say if he was seriously considering the advice from Williams and Gaspard for foreign investigative agencies to assist local police, Richardson said, “We are discussing the matter and it is under active consideration. A decision will be made shortly.”