New date set to restart Ottley Hall Commission of Enquiry

Barring any unforeseen setbacks, public hearings for the Ottley Hall Commission of Enquiry are set to resume in the next two weeks.

The enquiry, which suffered a number of delays over the course of the past four years, will continue on October 10, 2007, at the Sunset Shores Conference Room.{{more}}

The resumption follows a decision by Justice Fredrick Bruce-Lyle to reject a bid by the lawyers of former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell to have the commission stayed until a law repealed by the present government is determined unconstitutional.

The old law stated that a person involved in a government sponsored enquiry should have his legal fees paid for by the government; this law was changed earlier this year.

Sir James is scheduled to appear at the next sitting of the Enquiry, providing a further injunction is not filed by his lawyers.

The enquiry was halted two years ago while a number of persons went all the way to the Privy Council, arguing the legality of the Commission. (JJ)