President of the Law Association Seenath Jairam, SC, says the way deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission Justice Sebastian Ventour had to resign to deliver three outstanding judgments was ”clumsy and unacceptable.” Jairam maintained the matter was not handled in the best way, saying the judgments should have been delivered immediately after Ventour retired from the bench, and if they could not have been delivered at that time, they should have been read not long afterwards.
Ventour was reappointed by President Anthony Carmona at the Office of the President, St Ann’s on Thursday. After first being appointed in July 2013, he resigned on February 5, and was appointed a puisne judge the next day to deliver his judgments. Ventour retired from the Judiciary in 2012. Jairam said the events which occurred were unfortunate and unacceptable.
Ventour’s reappointment has been criticised by several other lawyers. Former Law Association president Martin Daly described it as a reflection of the “silliness of the season.” Jairam said he respected the different views of his colleagues on the matter but maintained his unreserved support for Ventour, saying Ventour is a man of impeccable integrity and he endorses him fully as deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission. He said he had “utmost trust, faith and confidence in Ventour as he is fair, fearless and fair-minded.”
And chairman of the Integrity Commission Kenneth Gordon said yesterday he was pleased to have Ventour back in office. Gordon told the T&T Guardian, “Justice Ventour is an excellent person and we are delighted that he is back. The work of the commission is moving again.” Ventour on Thursday dismissed questions on his reappointment, advising reporters to focus on the many ills in the country.