By ANDRE BAGOO Tuesday, September 8 2009

ATTORNEY General John Jeremie yesterday described moves by his Office to find a solution to the legal blunder that has hit the Uff Commission of Inquiry as “a high priority” as he described the blunder as embarrassing. He warned it “will never happen again.”

Speaking to reporters at the Red House shortly after the Budget speech, Jeremie confirmed yesterday’s Newsday report which outlined how his office was examining the possibility of finding a solution to the blunder. Jeremie said his attorneys were looking into the matter.

“I’m looking at it; I’m looking at the question that’s all that I can say,” he said.

The Uff Commission was struck by a snag after it emerged that the proceedings have to date not been gazetted.

“It is very embarrassing,” Jeremie said of the error. “I don’t think it will happen again, it was a basic error; it ought not to have taken place.”

Jeremie would not divulge what options his attorneys are examining to solve the problem.

It has been suggested by the inquiry chairman, Professor John Uff, and Diego Martin West MP, Dr Keith Rowley, that a validating act could be tabled to make the inquiry proceedings valid.

“I don’t want to pre-judge what my advisors will tell me. I’m looking at the question,” he said. Asked if the blunder had turned out to be in the Government’s interests, Jeremie said, “of course not.”

“I’m looking at all the options, that is all I can say at this time. Of course it is a high priority,” he said.

Uff yesterday said the Cleaver Heights aspect of the fourth phase of hearings would be dropped in part, because of the blunder. He however argued that the proceedings were valid in common-law and said he would press forward with authoring his report.

It was expected that Carl Khan, the ex-husband of the wife of Udecott chairman, Calder Hart, would have taken the stand this week, but Uff said that has been rendered unnecessary as Hart has not requested that Khan be brought to be cross-examined. Additionally, Uff said Hart has, up until yesterday, not filed any statements in response to sworn declarations which Khan has filed in which he links Mrs Hart to a company which was awarded a $368 million contract by Udecott.