AUDIO: PNP attorney under fire over ‘reprisal’ comment

Under fire, Attorney at law Bert Samuels is seeking to clarify controversial statements he made this morning as the hearing into the Trafigura matter continued in the Constitutional Court.

This morning Samuels, who is the attorney for Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller told the court that if People’s National Party (PNP) executives in the Trafigura case were forced to testify in open court it could risk their personal safety.

The PNP is seeking to challenge a Supreme Court order for several of its members to answer questions relating to the controversial $31 million donation by Trafigura in 2006.

Dutch authorities want to question Simpson Miller, party chairman Robert Pickergill and senior members Phillip Paulwell and Colin Campbell about the donation to help in a criminal probe in Holland.

This morning Samuels said, to make statements in open court could expose persons to the likelihood of reprisals if they give information against persons involved in criminal proceedings.

Caroline Hay, who is representing the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has objected to his statement and is to make submissions on the matter tomorrow.

This evening Samuels sought to clarify that he was making a general statement and not necessarily one in relation to the PNP executives.

Samuels also maintained that the matter should be heard in private as if the police were taking evidence that would be used in the case.

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