WITH the recent appointment of Attorney-at-Law, Basil Williams to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Williams has resigned as counsel representing the former People’s National Congress (PNC) Government at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, making way for Attorney-at-Law, Selwyn Pieters to assume the post. But Pieters’ appointment had caused some confusion in the early hours of yesterday’s Commission of Inquiry. Pieters formerly represented the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) at the Commission along with co-counsel, Attorney-at-Law, Brian Clarke.
Since Pieters’ resignation as Counsel of the GTUC, Clarke will serve as the sole counsel for the GTUC, while Pieters will serve as the sole counsel for the former PNC Government.
In the Commission of Inquiry, Williams had represented the interest of the former PNC Government and was vocal on what he perceived to be a “witch-hunt” of the entity he represented, during that time. As Attorney General, Williams can no longer serve on the Commission as counsel for the former PNC Government. Pieters’ appointment came as a surprise to some considering Attorney-at-Law and PNC member, James Bond had been tipped for the position.
When contacted some time ago, Bond, who served as a member of the 10th Parliament (2011-2015), denied any communication from his party that he would represent their interest at the CoI. Bond had been present at a number of sittings of the Commission during its life.