Executive members vote against further legal fee support for James

Executive members of the Police Federation have voted against providing further assistance to cover legal expenses  to Interdicted former Chairman, Corporal James.

James was interdicted in July 2003 following comments he made against the police high command at a funeral for a colleague.

 He has been seeking to have the interdiction quashed.

Reports are that James is expexted to return to court on Wednesday, February 26 and has legal fees in the amount of $2 million.

A release from the police Federation chairman stated that the matter was discussed on Tuesday.

"It is imperative to advise you that the application for legal fees assistance for our former Chairman Corporal Rohan James was further discussed by the Central Committee today, *Tuesday, February 25," chairman Arleen McBean said in a release to members.

"An analysis was conducted on various aspects of this matter prior to a decision. Based on previous discussions and consultation, there was a majority from the Central Committee (quorum)who expressed that they will *not* support any further legal fees assistance; while the minority expressed their support," the release from the chairman stated.

The federation chairman said in light of the development she was seeking assistance for the former Chairman through other means.

"I am humbly seeking any financial support from the membership *or* through any other legal means to assist with the payment of legal fees for Former Chairman Cpl Rohan James in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00).

"Let's continue to pray to the Almighty God for our Former Chairman as he endure this unbearable period" the release stated

James was interdicted because he had criticised the Police High Command at the funeral for not paying cops their overtime money. He was granted leave by the Supreme Court in November last year to go to the Judicial Review Court to challenge the interdiction.

James was also granted a stay of the interdiction so he could return to work.  Lewis appealed the ruling and in January the Court of Appeal set aside the stay.