Lord Gifford joins DPP team in Kern Spencer case

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has hired prominent attorney at law, Lord Anthony Gifford QC, to join her team in the trial of Kern Spencer, former Junior Energy Minister.

Lord Gifford has been drafted to battle the high-powered defence team of K.D Knight and Patrick Atkinson, over whether, Paula Llewellyn, DPP, should give a statement in the case.

The parties met in chambers last week and Ms Llewellyn agreed to write another letter outlining her dealings with former accused turned star witness, Rodney Chin.

She is to submit the letter or statement to Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey on Friday.

Ms Llewellyn told RJR News on Wednesday that Lord Gifford has been given a fiat to join her team to deal with issues that might be raised by the defence after she submits her letter.

Mr. Spencer's attorneys have been pressing the DPP to give full disclosure of her meeting with Mr. Chin and accuse her of failing to make full disclosure as required by law.

However, Ms Llewellyn claims this is a move to force her to recuse herself from the trial.

The dispute went before the High Court last month after Ms Llewellyn contended that the order from Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey for her to give a statement was unlawful and unreasonable.

The judicial review ended abruptly after the DPP withdrew her application.

However, Ms. Llewellyn agreed to provide another letter outlining what transpired with Mr. Chin but refused to withdraw from the trial.

Kern Spencer and his former assistant, Coleen Wright, are on trial for alleged breaches of the Corruption Act, and Money Laundering Act, arising out of the Cuban Light Bulb programme.