Legal advice reportedly prompts removal of some accusations against leader and member

The island’s largest public sector union has dropped the majority of charges levelled against its suspended president Akanni McDowall, Barbados TODAY has learned.

But a trial is still pending against the leader and a member.

Sources have revealed that the decision was arrived at following discussions with and advice from the attorney for the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) regarding the six charges brought against McDowall and the three against Natalie Murray who brought a resolution to appoint McDowall as Secretary General.

Barbados TODAY understands that in delivering the news to the National Council – the highest decision-making organ – Acting General Secretary Wayne Walrond said he took the advice of the attorney to which the council did not object.

Walrond reportedly told the council that the attorney advised that only two charges were likely to stick against the embattled president.

One of these accused McDowall of condoning, encouraging and promoting on social media, radio, television and print, a resolution which sought, among other things, to install him as Secretary General of the union.

The other charge alleged that McDowall took photographs of a union cheque payable to attorney Larry Smith for legal services and caused it to be circulated on social media along with derogatory comments.

For Murray, the only charge that will now remain is similar to McDowall’s allegation dealing with the resolution.

Barbados TODAY has further learned that the council had set Wednesday, July 21 as the date for hearing the accusations against both former members – McDowall’s trial is to begin at 10 a.m. while Murray’s is scheduled for 1 p.m.

At this week’s council meeting, the Acting General Secretary and his deputy Richard Greene were reportedly verbally reprimanded for failure to carry out the council’s instructions regarding a report on the cheque which was circulated on social media on June 23 and not following up with the police on the said cheque, according to sources.

The council asked both officers to leave the room while the matter was being discussed.

On their return to the room, the acting chair read the motion to reprimand them.  Greene said he accepted the reprimand, but Walrond reportedly declined to say anything.

At that same meeting, sources also revealed that the acting chair was also verbally reprimanded for failing to ensure that the Acting General Secretary carried out the council’s decision.

There was also  discussion on whether members of the council would be willing to be subjected to a polygraph test.

The member who introduced the topic, expressed concern that confidential decisions and discussions in council were being leaked to the media almost immediately after it meets.

Neither Murray nor McDowall could be reached tonight for comment.

(emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)