— asks Greene, as he rejects suggestions of ‘bugging’  Felix’s office telephone
POLICE Commissioner, Henry Greene yesterday rejected suggestions by former commissioner, Winston Felix, that he might have played a role in installing a bug to record telephone conversations with other persons. Greene said he was opened to a probe into his whereabouts in January 2006 to dispel suggestions that he had occupied the police commissioner’s office while Felix had been attending a conference overseas.
“I am prepared to stand the scrutiny of making public the results of any investigation launched,” said the police commissioner in a statement issued through the Guyana Police Force’s public relations department.
Felix has been reported in yesterday’s Sunday Stabroek as alleging that a recording device was placed in his office in January 2006 while he was away at a conference overseas.
The report quoted him as saying, “Somebody else occupied my office in my absence with my permission, and whatever happened had to have happened then; I have no apologies to make.”
But Greene yesterday challenged the former commissioner to name the person who had occupied his office “with his permission” during the time he was absent.
“I, Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, DSS, DSM, wish to state that during Mr. Felix’s tenure as Commissioner I was the most senior Deputy Commissioner. I was in charge of Law Enforcement at CID Headquarters and would usually act as Commissioner in the absence of then Commissioner Winston Felix.
“During the month of January 2006 to which Mr. Felix refers, Mr. Felix did leave the country for a conference overseas with then Minister of Home Affairs Ms. Gail Teixeira. I cannot give the date nor which country as I am currently giving this release while out of office, but can do so on Tuesday,” Greene stated.
He continued: “Prior to his (Felix) departure I fell ill and was admitted a patient at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. I was admitted to the hospital in 2006 on a Sunday; the records of the hospital can prove this. During the time I was in hospital Commissioner Felix visited me in hospital and told me that he was leaving the country the next day. He also told me that in his absence Deputy Commissioner Sydney Bunbury would be in charge.
“I remained in hospital until Friday of the said week and I left the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital about mid-day on the said Friday. I went home and did not work until the following Monday.
“While I was home I was told that Mr. Felix had returned to the country. I think it was either the said Friday or Saturday morning. I resumed duty on the Monday and at no time between the Friday mid-day and the Monday when I resumed duty did I visit Mr. Felix’s office.”
“I am saying that Mr. Winston Felix should be asked to say who is the person who occupied his office during January 2006 while he was overseas,” Greene countered.
He said if there are any further doubts he would recommend that those in authority investigate the dates of his hospitalization, the dates of Felix’s departure from and return to the country, and who would have utilized his office during that period.
“Mr. Felix would have had the benefit of a Personal Assistant and Secretaries who may be able to provide assistance in relation to any form of investigation or inquiry,” Greene said.
“I am prepared to stand the scrutiny of making public the results of any investigation launched,” he further stated.
“I stand by this statement which has been issued by the Public Relations Department of the Guyana Police Force,” Greene added.