Retired Appeal Court Judge Zainool Hosein, who was appointed chairman of the Integrity Commission yesterday, says he sees no conflict of interest in also being president of the Retired Judges Association. “The association will continue and I still remain a retired judge and I still remain the head of that association. There is no conflict of interest or duty, as there is no conflict of any salary involved,” Hosein added.
He was fielding questions from the media shortly after being sworn in at President’s House, St Ann’s. Asked about the association’s lobbying government to increase the pensions of retired judges, Hosein brushed the question aside. “That does not come within the scope of this interview. If you want to deal with the Retired Judges Association, you will have to speak to me when I am wearing a different hat,” he said.
Pressed further, Hosein added: “You either don’t understand English or you are not prepared to hear what I am saying. I am not dealing with the retired judges’ business in this interview. This is in relation with the Integrity Commission.” Hosein, who retired from the Court of Appeal in 1998, was also instrumental in calling for the passage of the Judges Salaries and Pensions Bill.
On how he felt taking the oath for a second time, given the circumstances under which he was first sworn in, Hosein said he did not want to move into the future “backwards,” but preferred to get on board to see what was required. He was sworn in as a commissioner in May 2009 but resigned within hours, saying President George Maxwell Richards had promised him the deputy chairmanship.
Hosein also said yesterday he could make no statements on investigations before the commission as he was not aware of them. “I don’t know about any investigation. I am absolutely new. I have a good idea of what the Integrity in Public Life Act requires and when I get into the commission I will see exactly what is to be done. “But I am hoping the work will be without any fanfare or glitz,” he added. The commission’s first meeting is expected to take place next Tuesday.
On whether he planned to interview Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar or Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley during the course of the commission’s investigations, Hosein said that was not the case as the work of the commission would be done at its office.