Retreat to discuss Proceeds of Crime Act ends prematurely
A planned two-day retreat of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on the crucial Proceeds of Crime Act prematurely ended after less than two hours yesterday, after Attorney-General Senator A J Nicholson declined the chair.
Minister of National Security Dr Peter Phillips was unable to continue to chair the meeting, due to a pressing need for him to leave the island for a meeting with Caribbean Community (Caricom) security heads in Trinidad and Tobago. He left yesterday afternoon for Port-of-Spain, the Trinidadian capital.
However, when Dr Phillips tried to convince the attorney-general and minister of justice to take over the chair, Senator Nicholson declined saying “no way”.
The Proceeds of Crime Bill is being anxiously awaited by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as one of the most essential pieces of legislation in their fight against crime, especially drug trafficking.
The Act is aimed at bringing, within the ambit of possible forfeiture through the courts, all properties and accumulated wealth, which cannot be explained by legitimate activity, and comes as part of efforts to fight organised crime and to ensure that persons do not profit from illegal activities.
From the start of yesterday’s retreat, for which Gordon House staff and equipment were transferred to the Morgan’s Harbour Hotel in Port Royal, Phillips indicated that he would be leaving midway. The facilities were booked for the two days.
He said that it was expected that Attorney General A J Nicholson would take over the chair in his absence.
But, the attorney-general, who arrived later, was not in agreement with the decision and responded with a brief “no way”. This put an immediate end to the retreat, which was expected to adjourn at 1:00 pm and resume at 10:00 am today.
The abrupt ending came as a surprise to committee members and representatives from the Legal Reform Office, the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and the Director of Public Prosecutions all of whom had prepared for a long haul.
Dr Phillips’ public relations spokesman Donovan Nelson told the Observer later in the afternoon that the minister had originally decided against attending the meeting in Trinidad, which was called to wrap up discussions on US/Caricom security cooperation during next year’s Cricket World Cup 2007, as he wanted to conclude the deliberations on the bill in recognition of the constant pleas for its passage from the police.
However, Nelson said the other Caricom representatives requested Phillips’ presence, following the start of the meeting on Tuesday, as he chairs a crucial security sub-committee.
“He didn’t plan to go, but they insisted that he had to attend the meeting,” Nelson said.
Dr Phillips is chairman of the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Resource Mobilisation for Crime and Security which has been having discussions with the United Kingdom and US security interests on security co-operation during CWC 2007.