D.K. Duncan NO MATTER how nice a person Ronald George Thwaites (Ronnie) is, he can, with justification be the subject of the closest public scrutiny. The charge that persons inside and outside of the media are trying to 'kill him', persecute him or put him on trial, is not going to obscure this fact.
The Reverend (Deacon) Ronnie Thwaites has held public office in the Roman Catholic Church for over 15 years. As an attorney-at-law, he has involved himself for over three decades in a public way in the service of communities, organisations and individuals. He has been an exemplary social and human rights activist.
In 1997, he was elected to Parliament. Reports are that he has been a good Member of Parliament (MP).
He has been a nice man to a lot of people. However, this is not about NICE. The present scrutiny concerns issues of ethics, morality and conflict of interest in the public sphere.
Prime Minister Patterson recently tabled a Ministry Paper which included the following principles on governance:
Holders of public office:-
a) are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
b) should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take.
c) have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interests.
Although this Paper was directed at the "Conduct of Ministers", the Prime Minister stated that "...all members of the government are expected to adhere" to these principles.
The Canadian Government's Ethics Counsellor, Mr. Howard R. Wilson observed that "...people in public life know that they are expected to take action with ethics in mind at all times."
Speaking to the Australian Senate in 1999 he also recalled some principles of the Canadian code - one of which states:
"Public office holders have an obligation to performtheir official duties and arrange their private affairs in a manner that will bear the closest scrutiny, an obligation that is not fully discharged by simply acting within the law."
THE ALLEGATIONS
After certain allegations were made public, Ronnie responded immediately. Within days, he resigned as M.P. and took leave as Deacon. Normally these actions would lead to a decrease in the intensity of public scrutiny. However, Ronnie qualified his act of resignation with defiance, including threats of legal action. The public scrutiny continued.
Ronnie has agreed with some elements of the allegations as they relate to the Church and the State.
While occupying the public role as Deacon, he explained that he got permission to use church property as collateral for a personal loan. The church confirmed that he did get permission but stated that the action of the church was ill-advised. The church further stated that this had never happened before and would not happen again.
How many of us would ask our pastor or church for that kind of favour?
Ronnie has explained that acting as a collector, a cheque for five million dollars payable to the Postal Services was received by his law firm from another state agency. He said that this cheque was deposited to his firm's account in error. On discovering the error, he offered to refund the money with interest. The interest was refused. However, he refunded the money in two separate tranches.
Only direct answers to certain questions can clarify a number of ethical, moral and conflict of interest issues which arise:
THE QUESTIONS
1. Who authorised his or the firm's appointment as a collector of debts for the Postal Service?
2. Was the cheque made payable to the Postmaster General (PMG) as stated by the former PMG on a Breakfast Club programme?
3. Can cheques payable to the PMG be legally endorsed to another person, firm or organisation?
4. To whose account, and in which branch of what bank was the cheque deposited?
5. How long did it take to discover that the cheque had been deposited in the wrong account?
6. When and how was the money repaid?
7. On whose authority was interest refused?
These are only some of the many legitimate questions that a concerned public is obliged to ask.
These public issues did not arise in a vacuum. There are other issues in the public domain to be resolved:
A. M.P. Ronnie Thwaites has been named by the most recent Integrity Commission's report as "...failing to submit, when requested, financial statements for companies."
B. The ANGUS COMMISSION in reporting on the "Operation Pride scandal" stated:
"...in another instance Daly Thwaites was found to be submitting invoices for work for which the company had previously been paid. However, this was discovered after duplicate payment had been effected, and Daly Thwaites agreed to work without payment in respect of the repayment owed to NHDC. The situation re-occurred and Daly Thwaites was terminated by NHDC, but subsequently re-instated at the instruction of the Chairman of the Board."
Ronnie denied any personal role.
The Prime Minister said he "...transmitted copies of the Angus Report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police and the Auditor General."
An enquiring public that has recently put Ministers Errol Ennis, Phillip Paulwell, Karl Blythe, and several unelected public officials under legitimate public scrutiny deserve some answers.
Deacon Thwaites - attorney-at-law - knows that only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - not NICENESS - can exonerate him.
"So help me God".
One love, One heart.
Former PNP General Secretary and Government Minister in the PNP administration of the 1970s, Dr. Duncan - a dental surgeon, recently established "the D.K. Duncan Political Institute" E-mail: dktruth@hotmail.com
