Chairman of the Commission of Enquiry into the Hindu Credit Union (HCU) Sir Anthony Colman says members who were subpoenaed and failed to attend are at risk of enforcement proceedings which, if he chooses, can be initiated in 24 hours (as at yesterday 4 pm). Contractor Gordon James and one of the HCU's directors were expected to give evidence but yesterday the commission indicated new developments.
Nearing the end of the sitting of the Commission of Enquiry into the HCU at Winsure Building, Richmond Street in Port-of-Spain, lead counsel Edwin Glasgow QC said the commission received a letter on Monday from one of the directors who "expressly refused" to give evidence after he was subpoenaed. Also counsel for James, Peter Taylor, appeared twice before the commission saying he was unsuccessful in making contact with his client.
Taylor said he was puzzled that James would have gone through the time and expense to retain counsel and not turn up. "I have had no formal word from him that he had no interest in appearing," Taylor said. Glasgow said the refusal by the two witnesses to give evidence will worry the public, especially those who lost money.
