Solicitor General Douglas Leys admitted under cross-examination at Friday’s sitting of the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry that attorney-at-law Harold Brady had deceived him for a considerable period on issues surrounding the extradition of Christopher ''Dudus'' Coke and the hiring of Untied States-based law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips.
Mr. Ley's revelation came during his fifth day on the witness stand at the Enquiry which has been taking place at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.
Attorney-at law Lieutenant Colonel Linton Gordon, who is representing the Jamaica Defence Force, sought answers from Mr. Leys on a number of issues on which he was previously cross examined.
They included details of the composition of the delegation for a December meeting with officials from the US State Department and the US Department of Justice, among other related issues.
However it was the issue of Mr. Brady's early involvement in the extradition process that was the main focus of Mr. Gordon's cross examination.
The Solicitor General testified that at no time up to mid-December 2009, was he aware that Mr. Brady was involved in anyway with the extradition.
Brady was involved in a web of deception – Leys
It was Mr. Ley's characterization of Mr. Brady's involvement which caused an uproar in the usually quiet atmosphere at the Enquiry.
"Was he wrongly involved?," asked Colonel Gordon.
"No sir, he was not involved" Mr. Leys replied.
"So what is it you now realize Mr. Brady was involved in?" Lieutenant Colonel Linton again asked.
"I now realize that there was a, for want of better term, a web of deception, and Mr. Brady was invoked in that," Mr. Leys said.
"Was that web of deception pertaining to your job as Solicitor General?"
"Yes sir," Mr. Leys replied.
Military attorney’s cross examination of Leys called into question
The Solicitor General also admitted during the follow-up questioning that he was concerned that the level of Mr. Brady's involvement was allowed to take place.
He also added that there were attempts of interference with his job.
Queens Counsel Hugh Small, who is representing Prime Minister Bruce Golding, quickly raised concerns.
"Mr. Linton Gordon has come to this Commission to represent military officers. This is the first time that he has cross examined witnesses here and he (started) it by addressing the witness by his first name. I’m a little curious as to what instructions the military could possible have on the matters on which Mr. Gordon has been questioning this witness," he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon replied that he was defending one of his clients who was described as a 'busy body' while he was giving evidence to the Commission.
He noted that any information presented to the commissioners in ways that can assist in arriving at a proper conclusion of the investigation would be useful to the Enquiry.
He was allowed to continue with his cross examination.
Mr. Leys later agreed with the attorney's suggestion that Mr. Brady had no function or right to be involved in the extradition matter.
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