(d) does any other thing that would, if the commission had been a court of law having power to commit for contempt, have been contempt of that court. (14.Contempt of commission, Public Inquiries Act 2006)Yesterday a Government Lawyer appeared at the Cameron Commission and asked for "clarification" on the rules that Cameron herself set for inquiry lawyers. The request came just days after Premier Danny Williams used the term "witch hunt" to describe the tone of the inquiry, which he said was using "inquisitorial methods" and which appeared "to be more of a prosecution than an inquiry."
Justice Cameron asked the lawyer, Jackie Brazil, who had sent her to the inquiry with the request. Brazil refused to be specific and Justice Cameron continued to ask her questions about whom she was taking direction from:
"If you're not receiving your instructions from Mr. Thompson, then can you tell me whether or not your instructions come from the attorney general, for example,"
"I just want to know what entity I'm dealing with. I thought it was a simple question,"
Brazil continued to be evasive. She would only say she represented government. I am curious as to why she was not cited for contempt for not answering Justice Cameron's question. As well considering the time wasted trying to elicit simple answers from a government lawyer, is it any surprise that the inquiry has asked for an extension.
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