West Kingston Enquiry: Tivoli Committee could be barred from participating

Chairman of the west Kingston commission of enquiry Sir David Simmons has given the Tivoli Committee one week to fulfill certain obligations or be barred from further participating in the hearings.

This development came after the new attorney for the Tivoli Committee, Michael Williams, told the commission when it resumed hearings this morning, that he has not been given any statements by any clients.

The Tivoli Committee, led by conveyor Lloyd D'Aguilar, claims to represents several residents in the west Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens who were impacted by the police-military operations in May 2010.

However, despite several promises by previous attorneys, Carol DaCosta and Michael Lorne, the three-member commission is yet to receive witness statements from any of those persons.

READ: Carol Dacosta no longer representing Tivoli Committee

Responding to objections raised by attorneys for the Jamaica Defence Force, Williams indicated that he was retained and given certain instructions, but was not informed of any witnesses that will come forward to give evidence.

He said he would seek to ascertain if there are any witnesses who will give evidence and if there are none his continued participation at the enquiry would be at commission's discretion.

Simmons then ruled that the Tivoli Committee will be allowed to participate in the hearing this week, but have until next Monday to provide the names, addresses and witness statements.

READ: Lloyd D’Aguilar gets thrown out thrown out of enquiry

He said failing that, the group's standing at the enquiry will be rescinded.