The plot has thickened

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It is troubling to note the events associated with the appointment of Dennis Chung to head the Financial Investigations Division (FID), and it is very difficult, given the circumstances, to avoid getting the impression that there has been some sort of interference with the selection process.

Given the earlier statements by the individual in question, the rejection of the first set of applicants, directives for them not to re-apply, and then the removal of the law-enforcement experience requirement, even the most unbiased perspective would find it difficult to declare the process flawless.

Rather, the circumstances appear to point to some sort of imposed influence on the process, leading to the selection of the most “cooperative” individual. And the voices from the Government coming out to guarantee the integrity of the process, do nothing to lighten the controversy, but only increase it.

If this issue is what it seems to be, it should not be laid to rest. And this is stated in black and white print; there are no orange letters.

Further, the challenge at this time of the auditor general being on the Integrity Commission, only stirs up things even more.

Given the matter relating to the prime minister’s statutory declarations, the long-standing question has been, why has everything simply not been made public, so that all controversy is removed, and all the allegations refuted and silenced?

What is happening now however, intensifies the controversy, and how could it do otherwise, as appearances point to definite attempts to neutralise the allegations.

The irony of the matter is that hypothetically, and I trust that it will only be hypothetical, if Dennis Chung remains as head of the FID, whatever outcomes follow will not clear up the matter of the prime minister’s declarations, but will only make its shadow deeper, and darker.

It would be good for the entire country, every agency, community, business, political party, governmental body, and individual citizen, for the morale, and for the level of trust throughout the society, if this did not happen.

DAVID ABRIKIAN