KINGSTON, Jamaica – Sir David Simmons has been appointed to a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the events which unfolded in Tivoli Gardens in May 2010.
According to the Jamaica Observer, Barbados’ former attorney general and retired Chief Justice Sir David is one of three people appointed by Jamaica’s Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.
The others are Justice Hazel Harris, a retired judge of the Court of Appeal of Jamaica and Velma Hylton, a former puisne judge of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in The Bahamas and Grenada. She was also deputy DPP in Jamaica.
The Commission will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of violence in Tivoli Gardens when security forces attempted to apprehend former strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
“After Cabinet received the Public Defender’s Interim Report and accepted his recommendation that there be a Commission of Enquiry into the Events in Western Kingston of May 2010, the Government prepared and published a Discussion Draft of the Terms of Reference, and sought comments from the public,” a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said today.
“Several substantive responses were received. The Discussion Draft was subsequently amended in light of the comments received from the public,” the release added.
Government took “great care to identify proposed Commissioners who have the required experience, skill and reputation to ensure a fair and impartial Enquiry that will enjoy the confidence of the public”.
The statement also said that the Opposition was afforded an opportunity to provide its views on the Terms of Reference and on the choice of proposed Commissioners. (SAT)
