Ministry to investigate row at INSPORTS meeting

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Robert Martin, says that an investigation will be launched into the incident involving outgoing Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) Chairman Reverend Al Miller and Executive Director Ian Andrews at Monday's Sports Officers' meeting, where Miller was told that he should not have been in attendance.

Miller and Andrews got into an exchange after Miller, when asked by Andrews to explain his reason for showing up at the meeting, insisted that he was still the chairman of the state-run organisation and expects to be allowed to carry out his duties until he has been told not to do so.

Andrews rebutted by stating that as far as he is concerned, the clergyman was no longer the chairman, before walking out of the meeting along with several of the sports officers in attendance.

Martin, in response to questions posed by The Gleaner, pointed out that an investigation will be launched into the incident between the two men and also confirmed that a new INSPORTS board had been assembled but is yet to come into effect, stressing, though, that there is a process that needs to be respected.

"Rev Miller has indicated to me that there was an incident. However, my efforts to reach Mr Andrews for his side proved futile," said Martin late Monday night. "The Ministry will investigate the report."

Martin went on to point out that the disciplinary committee of the INSPORTS board will deal with the matter.

"This will be a matter for the disciplinary committee of the board. Neither the permanent secretary nor the minister has authority in this matter," he stated.

"The Cabinet has given approval for the appointment of a new board. The members have been nominated by the minister," Martin added, before explaining the procedures involved.

"The appointment will take effect when the instruments of appointment are prepared and distributed to all the members of the new board, and the previous members thanked for their service. The instruments are being prepared and will be distributed in due course. The press and the country will be informed immediately that this is done," Martin noted.

When contacted about the incident on Monday, Miller pointed out that despite knowledge of impending changes, he has not been formally advised of such and wanted to do his job until he was told that it was no longer his to do.