AG: Duke must choose between THA executive and PSA

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Deputy Chief Secretary Watson Duke is being told he has to choose between his new role as deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and his presidency of the Public Services Association (PSA).

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi maintains that the law doesn’t allow Duke to do both jobs and he has written to new THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine on the matter.

In the letter dated December 9, Al-Rawi said, “I note that Mr Watson Duke has now been appointed as a Secretary and member of the Executive Council, to wit, the Deputy Chief Secretary of the THA, and I also congratulate him in this regard.

“I have noted with deep concern, however, the public statements issued by the Public Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago (the ‘PSA’) to the effect that Mr Duke, its president, does not propose to relinquish that office following his appointment as Secretary but that he ‘would continue to carry out his constitutional duties in keeping with the PSA constitution; though he would forego benefits and remuneration from the PSA.”

Al-Rawi added, “It is clear from a proper understanding of the Tobago House of Assembly Act Ch. 25:03 in combination with other laws and indeed from our long-standing constitutional conventions, that the assumption of executive office precludes the continuation of employment or occupation elsewhere.

“As a consequence, it is clear that Mr Duke must make an unequivocal election as to, in which of these two positions he will commit himself to serve, as he cannot lawfully do both.”

Al-Rawi requested Augustine to advise him (AG) on the matter.

“As a matter of utmost urgency and immediacy as to what this choice will be, as this will have serious constitutional implications for the Council which it may well be I will be obliged to act upon in the proper discharge of my duties as Attorney General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Duke did not return calls yesterday but Augustine maintained, while addressing the media outside the THA Chamber in Scarborough yesterday, that Duke does not run afoul of the law.

He promised to speak more on the matter at a news conference following a sitting of the Assembly today, which will be addressed by President Paula-Mae Weekes.

Both Duke and Augustine were sworn in yesterday by President Weekes, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Chief Justice Ivor Archie.