Fall guy to testify

Former government Junior Minister Dr Ronald Robinson to appear before the Manatt commission

Dr Ronald Robinson, so far the only political casualty of the messy Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair, is expected to take the witness stand today as the commission of enquiry into the matter resumes.

Robinson, a former government senator and junior minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, resigned last May as controversy swirled around the extradition request for Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and the engagement of the US law firm.

At that time, Robinson apologised for his role in the Manatt scandal and noted his wife's ill health as another reason for his resignation.

"Morally, responsibility comes with actions and I know the just and upright thing to do at this time. Prime minister, putting both situations together, I now tender my resignation with immediate effect as senator and minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade," read a section of Robinson's resignation letter.

Accepted responsibility

"With regard to the current topical situation of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, I acknowledge that my contact with the firm could have been perceived as inappropriate, and for that I accept responsibility," he added as he walked away from what many persons described as a promising political career.

But recent reports in the media, from a leaked copy of Robinson's statement to the commission, are that he has backtracked on some of the statements in the resignation letter.

This has raised interest in his testimony which comes at the start of a week where other major players, including the opposition member of parliament who first raised the matter, Dr Peter Phillips, are slated to appear.

Phillips is also the former security minister who signed a set of controversial agreements which sparked the first fireworks at the commission.