FINSAC Commissioner explains, Justice Downer is legal adviser

KINGSTON – Chairman of the FINSAC Commission of Enquiry, Worrick Bogle, explained Tuesday March 29 that retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Henderson Downer, is not a member of the commssion, but its legal adviser.

Mr. Bogle pointed out that following the removal of former chairman, Justice Boyd Carey, from the Commission, based on a court ruling, last September, a decision was taken that the enquiry would continue with the two remaining commissioners, investment manager, Charles Ross, being the other.

“The appointment allows for a quorum of two, so we continue to sit as a commission of two,” Mr. Bogle said Tuesday.

A report in a local newspaper on Sunday had suggested that there could be a conflict of interest, if former head of Century Financial Group, Don Crawford, appears before the Commission and is examined by Justice Downer. The Judge is said to have presided over the Appeal Court’s decision blocking the banker’s attempt to appeal to the Privy Council in England in 2002. However, Mr. Crawford is not expected to appear before the Commission, and Mr. Downer does not question witnesses at the enquiry, which is being held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

The enquiry resumes Thursday morning.

By BALFORD HENRY, JIS Reporter & Editor