Top UK lawyers appointed to probe multibillion dollar financial collapse Of Clico

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by Global News Staff

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad
— A retired British High Court judge and a British QC have been retained to carry out a probe in connection with Trinidad and Tobago’s CL Financial Services/CLICO collapse and the Hindu Credit Union Co-operative Society’s insolvency.

Billions of dollars are unaccounted for in respect to these two enterprises.

The lone Commissioner is Sir Gavin Lightman, a leading Queen’s Counsel in insolvency, administration law and a retired judge, and Counsel to the Commission is another expert in crime and fraud, Peter Carter QC.

Two local attorneys, Kelvin Ramkissoon and Celeste Jules, will work alongside Carter.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said that the enquiry would be geared towards an analysis of the situation and would determine whether there are any grounds for civil or criminal liability.

He said the overall aim behind government’s action in establishing the enquiry was to prevent a reoccurrence of the “octopus-like” financial collapse.

Ramlogan said he expected that all those who had nothing to hide would co-operate fully “so that we can get to the bottom of this.”

“They may be vindicated. They have been calling for an opportunity to vindicate their names and reputation. So this is their chance. Or equally they may be found culpable and let the chips fall where they must,” he said.