'Vanishing' book?

Another mystery has enveloped the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry - this time it's the case of the vanishing book.

The commission was told that a book kept at the Ministry of Justice, in which a bearer signed for the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to be taken to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has disappeared.

Consultant to the Ministry of Justice, Marcia Beverley, told the commission that she has been unable to locate the book which is kept in her office.

The case of the disappearing book was raised by Lord Anthony Gifford, the attorney representing the DPP.

Gifford suggested that it was the deputy director of public prosecutions, Jeremy Taylor, and not an accompanying police officer who signed for the extradition documents.

"I have searched for the book … but to no avail. I am now using a different book," said Beverley.

Cannot be found

Gifford urged chairman of the commission, Emil George, to have the Ministry of Justice find the book.

Beverley was asked by Gifford to refresh her mind to determine whether it was Jeremy Taylor, the deputy director of public prosecutions, who had signed for the document.

"Not that I can recall," said Beverley.

She dismissed Gifford's suggestion that her memory was faulty and that she had returned the documents, after preparing the requisite memorandum to Taylor and not a police officer as she had claimed.

"I am absolutely sure that Mr Taylor came with an officer and ensured that the package was given to me … . It was an inspector, I am not sure of his name but he is not one of the usual officers from the Fugitive Apprehension Team."

She said Taylor left the policeman in her office while she prepared the accompanying documentation.

"He (the unfamiliar policeman) left my office. Mr Taylor was not there, he left," asserted Beverley. "When the officer left my office withthe documents, Mr Taylor returned with the authenticated documents."

Gifford: "I am suggesting to you that he (Taylor) spent over half an hour with you."

Beverley: "He could have been there but he was not in my office."

- G.S.