Honourable Robelto Hector –“The taxpayers of Nevis DEMAND to know why the NIA has only been hiring an Anguillian law firm which claims it is the sister law firm of the local firm owned by Mark Brantley”
The Honourable Robelto Hector on Tuesday, July 04, 2017, fired off a letter to Mr. Colin Dore, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance within the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), with a series of questions regarding an Anguillian law firm hired by the NIA to handle most of its court cases in Nevis. The law firm is Keithley Lake and Associates.
In an exclusive interview with Nevispages, Mr. Hector said, “I am appalled by the blatant level of conflicts of interests in this arrangement. Myself and my constituents are demanding answers”.
Mr. Hector pointed out that the law firm in question is the only law firm utilized by the NIA in all its high profile Judicial Review cases currently before the High Court.
Speaking to Freedom fm on Friday Mr. Hector further questioned why the NIA hired a law firm in Anguilla so closely affiliated with Minister Brantley, especially when he is featured so prominently in many of the Judicial Review cases.
But speaking to Freedom Fm on Friday Deputy Premier Mark Brantley said whereas his law firm Brantley & Associates maintains a relationship with the law firm in Anguilla, he (Brantley) derives no benefits from that relationship. Brantley stated that since becoming the representative of the people and being elected to office, he has given up the administration of Brantley & Associates to focus on good governance and avoid conflict of interest issues. Brantley further took MP Hector to task for cronyism and nepotism while in office in assisting his family in land deals when he served as Minister of Lands during the NRP’s term in office