413 / 494
412
PART I
Evidence of Mr. Golding
12.2.
In Chapter 3, para.3.6, we referred to Mr. Golding’s evidence about
the visit made to him on 24 August 2009 by the then Heads of the security
forces. In the course of his evidence, Mr. Golding spoke directly to the issue of
communication with Coke after meeting with the Heads. He said in evidence-in-
chief:
“Subsequently [to the meeting] I did not speak with Coke. I
never asked anyone to contact Coke. Subsequent to his
arrest, I had no conversation with Coke nor did I ask anyone
to converse with hm. I am not aware of any official in the
Government having any discussion or conversation with
Coke.”
12.3.
Mr. Golding asserted that, save and except for a discussion which
he had with Bishop Blair in May 2010, he did not invite anyone to confer with
Coke.
12.4.
Prior to the internal security operation, Mr. Golding and Bishop Blair
spoke about Coke. Mr. Golding’s evidence on 9 February 2015 is as follows:
“Bishop Blair expressed a concern that every effort should
be made to avoid a confrontation between the security
forces and elements in the community once the security
forces sought to execute the warrant. He indicated a
willingness to seek to make contact with Coke and to see
whether Coke could be persuaded to surrender. I welcomed
his offer. I certainly gave it my blessing and I expressed my
hope that he would be able to succeed…This conversation
took place in the week before the internal security
operation.”
12.5.
Mr. Golding made it clear that the offer to try and contact Coke was
“Bishop Blair’s suggestion”. There is no evidence that Bishop Blair reported to
Mr. Golding after he visited Coke on 19 and 22 May 2010. Rather, he
communicated with CoP Ellington.