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PRESIDENT George Maxwell Richards yesterday spent his first full day in office since returning from vacation on Wednesday. However, by the end of the day there was as yet no word on what action — if any — he would take in relation to a complaint filed against Integrity Commission chairman Dr Eric St Cyr over his disclosure to the press of an Integrity Commission probe of Udecott chairman Jearlean John.

A complaint against St Cyr was lodged at the Office of the President on Monday, two days after St Cyr told a reporter that the Commission was investigating an unspecified complaint filed by an unidentified person.

Under the Constitution, the President may appoint a tribunal to investigate a member of the Commission. A member may also be removed on the ground of misbehaviour. It is understood that the President spent the day going over a backlog of issues left on his desk during his vacation.

Newsday yesterday reported deep concerns of commissioners at the Commission who have in the past warned St Cyr over his repeated comments to the public on matters before the Commission or matters likely to come before it. A regular meeting for all commissioners, to be held at the Commission’s offices at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, remains scheduled for next Monday.

At yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing Attorney General Anand Ramlogan declined to comment on the complaint against St Cyr which also forms part of threatened legal action which could be initiated by John.

“There is a legal letter that has been written,” Ramlogan said when questioned. He noted that the matter was “lis pendens” or was potential litigation pending before the court and it would be inappropriate for comment to be made at this stage.

St Cyr has been criticised for commenting to the media on several matters. Last Friday he confirmed to a reporter that John was under probe.

Section 8 of the Integrity in Public Life Act notes that: “A member of the Commission may be removed from office by the President acting in his discretion for inability to discharge the functions of his office whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause, or for misbehaviour.”

Additionally, it is an offence to divulge information connected to complaints to persons who are not authorised to have such information, such as the persons against whom an allegation is made or the complainant themself.