By SEAN DOUGLAS Saturday, September 26 2009

THE Law Association yesterday took objection to allegations by Attorney General John Jeremie that Law Association president Martin Daly SC had “lied” in the Justice Rajendra Narine affair. Daly had supported Narine’s right to revive Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr’s affidavit — rejected by two superior courts — which alleged Prime Minister Patrick Manning had agreed to forgive a $32 million Jamaat debt in exchange for Jamaat support in the 2002 general election.

Jeremie has been critical of both Narine and Daly.

However yesterday Law Association sources rebuffed Jeremie.

Sources said one of their major concerns is that no one is able to identify the “lie” that Jeremie alleged had been spoken by Daly.

A Law Association spokesman said, “There is great concern that one lawyer (Jeremie) would call another lawyer (Daly) a liar on the basis of a disagreement over what legal authorities say. The Law Association is considering how long it should wait for receipt of the letter that Parliament was told is being sent to the Law Association.”

The council of the Law Association met yesterday to discuss the AG’s remarks. Although several of the elected members did not attend the meeting, because they were tied up in court, sources said there was a quorum.

Those who could not attend are expected to be informed of the discussions and another meeting may be held before a statement is issued. Daly remained overseas yesterday. However, on Thursday he gave a response to Jeremie’s statement to the Senate the day before, and said it appeared as though public officials were losing “their cool”.

Speaking with reporters during the tea break in the Senate yesterday, Jeremie was unfazed by Daly’s remarks. “I never lose my cool. Do I look like I am losing my cool?” Jeremie said.

Daly had also said he would respond after further study of Jeremie’s statement but added he would continue to comment on the relationship between the Government and the Judiciary.